Berlin lowers voting age to 16
Of all age groups, young people have to bear the brunt of political decisions for the longest time. In Berlin, too, they will therefore be given more rights of co-determination: in three years' time, 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to influence the composition of the Berlin House of Representatives for the first time.
In future, 16 and 17-year-olds will also be able to vote in the state parliament in Berlin. This evening, the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 by a large majority. This will strengthen democracy and allow younger people to have a greater say in politics, argue the supporters of the CDU, SPD, Greens and Left Party.
"Young people have to bear the political consequences for the longest time. Now they will also be involved in the decisions," said Green politician Klara Schedlich, who, according to her parliamentary group, is the youngest member of the state parliament at the age of 23. "We have a reason to celebrate today, all democrats in this House."
According to the "Mehr Demokratie" association, Berlin is the seventh federal state in which people aged 16 and over can vote at state level. This is expected to be the case for the first time in 2026 for the election to the House of Representatives. Until now, 16 and 17-year-olds have been able to vote in elections to Berlin's district assemblies, i.e. the local parliaments.
Following a change in the law at federal level, this will also apply to European elections, for the first time in 2024. According to the constitution, all Germans who have reached the age of 18 on the day of the election and have had their main residence in Berlin for at least three months were previously eligible to vote for the state parliament. As before, all eligible voters who have reached the age of 18 on the day of the election can be elected to parliament.
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The lowering of the voting age in Berlin to 16 means that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to participate in the upcoming parliamentary election in Berlin, contributing to a more democratic and representative political landscape in the city. This change in the voting age has made Berlin one of the seven federal states where 16-year-olds can vote at state level, as noted by the "Mehr Demokratie" association.
Source: www.ntv.de
