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- The National Council is making a new attempt to introduce the age of 16 for voting.
- By 98 votes to 85 and two abstentions, he supports a parliamentary initiative by Sibel Arslan (Verdes / BS). Besides the Greens and the SP, the GLP and members of the parliamentary groups FDP and Mitte also voted in favor.
- Now the State Political Commission of the Council of States must decide on the parliamentary initiative.
National Councilor Sibel Arslan had asked the council to seize the opportunity to “write the history of Switzerland.” The result of the vote was recognized with applause in the room.
Arslan warned that the number of voters over 50 is growing. Furthermore, 16 and 17 year olds are very interested in politics and have the political education necessary to vote and vote.
Especially in climate demonstrations, like here in March 2019 in Lausanne, many under 18s also find a political voice.
Keystone
The initiative was also supported by a large minority in the State Political Commission (SPK). In general, however, the commission voted against the initiative and President Andreas Glarner (SVP / AG) had a casting vote.
The majority of the SPK did not think it would make sense to give only some of the voters the right to vote. At the age of 16, initiatives and referendums can be voted on, but not signed, said Andri Silberschmidt (FDP / ZH), the youngest member of the National Council. According to the majority of the SPK, whoever is of legal age and can be elected should be able to vote.
Many cantons are discussing the idea
The SPK of the Council of States will then decide on the initiative. If you say no, the Council of States must make a decision before a bill can be drafted.
Today, only young people aged 16 and over can vote in the canton of Glarus. However, they can only be chosen by themselves at the age of 18. In Neuchâtel, the age of 16 to vote was clearly rejected last February. Discussions on the issue are also taking place in other cantons, such as Bern, Lucerne, Zurich and Zug.
