I question whether lowering the voting age from 18 to 17 truly marks a historic day. What’s certainly historic, however, is the remarkable ease with which politicians compete for headlines, showing complete disregard for the substance of their decisions and their potential consequences.
Yesterday’s political spectacle centred around voting rights at 17, and tellingly, no one opposed the government’s decision. Instead, we witnessed a scramble to claim ownership of the idea.
The crucial question – why 17-year-olds would suddenly rush to the polls when those aged 18, 19, 20 and beyond have been conspicuously turning their backs on elections – went entirely unaddressed.
Nikos Christodoulides led this publicity parade. True to form since taking office, he rushed to make a promotional announcement before the Cabinet meeting, packaging the decision as “historic” to the public.
Of course, he conveniently failed to mention that he wasn’t the originator of this “historic” idea. While there’s nothing wrong with promoting good ideas from political parties or former opponents – indeed, it’s commendable to adopt sound proposals – the announcement called for more humility.
DISY swiftly joined the spectacle, seemingly worried that Christodoulides might steal their thunder.
They hastily issued a statement reminding everyone of their June 2023 legislative proposal. Averof Neofytou jumped to the front lines, posting that it was his legislative proposal that DISY had submitted.
Even DEPA MP Michalis Yiacoumi celebrated the government’s decision, noting that voting at 17 had been one of his long-standing demands!
Such political showmanship invariably comes with carefully crafted statements. Christodoulides declared: “We have absolute confidence in our young people. On many issues in our public discourse, young people are pioneers through their initiatives and positions…”.
DISY headquarters chimed in: “The new generation deserves and must have a voice in decisions that shape their future. We must give our youth the opportunity to participate and stake their claims”.
Undoubtedly, our youth are pioneers. Undoubtedly, they take initiative. Undoubtedly, they deserve better.
But while politicians praise young people, they must ask themselves why youth have been turning their backs on politicians and parties for years. Why do they shun elections? Why do they refuse to engage in political processes?
If politicians dared to honestly analyse these questions, they’d discover that the major problem isn’t the youth – it’s the politicians themselves.
If they dared to consider why increasing numbers of young people abstain from electoral contests, they’d realise the primary reason is their own lack of credibility.
Their own lack of respect. Their own inability to engage young people meaningfully. Their own failure to offer solutions to youth concerns.
Young people are tired of watching politicians squabble over minor issues instead of focusing on how to create career opportunities for graduates. They’re exhausted by old-school political methods and wooden rhetoric that offer no solutions to their real problems (education, employment, housing, etc.).
For years, the vast majority of young people have viewed political engagement and voting as a waste of time. Why would they change their stance merely because they can vote at 17 instead of 18?
Yesterday’s decision will only increase voter abstention. By including 17-year-olds, the electoral body will grow larger, but as young people continue to disengage, the abstention rate will rise further.
Young people will only re-engage when politicians get serious and demonstrate convincingly that returning to the ballot box is worthwhile. Until then, decisions like yesterday’s are merely political theatre.
PS: AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION IS A POSITIVE STEP. Credit where it’s due – yesterday’s other decision for automatic electoral roll registration is sound. It removes an unnecessary hassle and might bring slightly more voters to the polls.
