Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s next big political battle is not about budgets or borders but birthdays. A proposal to let 16- and 17-year-olds vote has reignited arguments about who should shape the nation’s future — and whether today’s teenagers are more likely to boost democracy or turbocharge populism.
Supporters of the plan say the timing is urgent. With Spain’s population ageing fast, decisions on housing, climate policy, and pensions are increasingly determined by older voters. Advocates argue that teenagers will live longest with the consequences and deserve a direct say.
The Ministry of Youth and Children, led by Sira Rego of the left-wing Sumar alliance, is drafting a Youth Law that would include the change. Because the Spanish Constitution does not set a fixed voting age, only a reform of the Electoral Law is needed to make it happen.
An idea with unexpected politics
Lowering the voting age was once a leftist rallying cry. Sumar and the Socialist Party (PSOE) still back the plan, but the political calculus has shifted. Recent surveys by the national research centre CIS reveal strong far-right momentum among younger Spaniards. Vox and the ultra-nationalist Aliança Catalana now attract double-digit support among under-30s, sometimes overtaking left-wing rivals.
Political scientist Hugo Pereira notes that Europe’s youngest voters often embrace more radical options, and in Spain, that trend is tilting right.
Fears of influence and immaturity
Conservative forces, including the Partido Popular and Vox, argue that 16 is too young for a decision as serious as voting. They warn of social media manipulation and parental pressure, calling instead for stronger civic education before expanding the electorate.
Looking beyond Spain’s borders
Spain would join a small but growing club if the reform passes. Austria and Malta already allow 16-year-olds to vote in national elections, while Germany and Belgium permit it at the regional or EU level. Proponents say these examples show that lowering the age is both legal and workable, though outcomes vary widely.
Who really gains?
Adding more than a million new voters might sound like a win for progressives. Yet with far-right parties mastering TikTok and other youth-heavy platforms, the reform could deliver unexpected rewards. Whether today’s teenage enthusiasm for the extremes is a protest phase or a lasting realignment remains uncertain.
A test of democratic nerve
Spain’s debate over voting at 16 is no longer just about inclusion. It has become a test of how far the country is willing to go to refresh its democracy — and whether that gamble could strengthen the very forces many supporters hoped to weaken.
Source: El Mundo