President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, announced on Wednesday, January 22, that the Council of Ministers has approved a historic change allowing citizens as young as 17 to vote in elections, along with automatic voter registration.
The move, which aims to strengthen participatory democracy, marks a significant step in involving young people in the country’s democratic processes.
“Today, we’re moving forward with the right for 17-year-olds to vote and automatically be included in the electoral rolls,” President Christodoulides said.
“This is an important decision that we are making, and it’s about giving young people a voice in the decisions that shape our country.”
This change is part of a broader initiative to engage youth in public life. Christodoulides emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts, including using technology to create platforms for youth to discuss national issues and introducing civic education in schools from 2024 to prepare children for democratic participation.
“We have complete trust in our youth. They are already playing a leading role in public discussions, and they have demonstrated that they are ready to take responsibility,” the President added.
Christodoulides expressed hope that the House of Representatives will swiftly pass the law, enabling 17-year-olds to vote in the 2026 parliamentary elections, aligning Cyprus with other EU countries in terms of youth participation in the electoral process.
He called the decision a major milestone in the country’s journey toward a more inclusive democracy.
Source: Ekathimerini.
