Lorraine Williamson
In Spain, citizens can currently vote in general, regional, and municipal elections from the age of 18. That age threshold, unchanged since the country transitioned to democracy in the late 1970s, may soon be up for debate as Spain looks to lowering the voting age.
The Ministry of Children and Youth, led by Sira Rego, is drafting legislation that could lower the voting age to 16. The proposal forms part of a broader Youth Law package, expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers ahead of the summer.
If approved, it would mark a major shift in Spain’s democratic framework and bring the country in line with others, such as Austria and parts of Germany, where 16-year-olds can already vote in certain elections.
Political support – and caution
Some left-leaning and regional parties, including ERC, Bildu, and members of the Grupo Mixto, have already expressed support for the plan. However, the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) has adopted a more reserved stance.
Although PSOE previously endorsed a non-binding motion to study the issue, it now considers the reform impractical in the short term. Government spokesperson and Education Minister Pilar Alegría has said the matter has yet to be formally debated by the Cabinet.
Critics within the government fear that extending the vote to younger people may benefit far-right groups like Vox. That concern stems from polling data showing rising support for conservative and populist parties among young voters.
The case for youth inclusion
Despite hesitation in central government, the Ministry is pushing ahead. Rego’s party, Izquierda Unida, argues that young people are already active contributors to society — through work, caregiving, and activism. “They should have a say in shaping the policies that affect their future,” reads a statement from the ministry.
The Spanish Youth Council (CJE), which represents over seven million young people, has publicly backed the initiative. They view it as long-overdue recognition of political rights for a demographic often sidelined in policymaking.
Public opinion and electoral impact
Recent data from the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) highlights why the debate is so charged. Among first-time voters, aged 18 and 19, 36.2% support Vox — more than any other party. PSOE trails behind with 27.6%.
Among those aged 18 to 24, PSOE maintains a lead, but the combined support for Vox and Se Acabó la Fiesta surpasses the socialists. This generational divide continues into the 25–35 age group, indicating potential long-term implications for electoral strategy.
Other electoral reforms in motion
Alongside the youth vote proposal, changes to Spain’s broader electoral system are also being considered. Under the reform, political parties that earned at least 5% of votes in previous elections — even without securing seats — may qualify for inclusion in televised debates.
Private broadcasters remain exempt from hosting such debates. However, if they do, they must follow the same standards as public media, including rules on political neutrality, balance, and proportionality.
Another amendment would require public access to anonymised microdata from opinion surveys. This measure aims to improve transparency and allow citizens to verify or independently analyse polling results.
What happens next?
Before becoming law, the draft Youth Law must undergo multiple stages of scrutiny. Reports will be submitted by Spain’s Central Electoral Board and the Ministry for Parliamentary Relations and Justice. Only then can it return to the Council of Ministers as a formal draft bill.
For now, the question remains: should 16-year-olds have the vote in Spain? The answer, it seems, will depend as much on political calculation as it does on democratic ideals.