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Empowering Youth Voices: Croatian VP Urges Parliamentary Talks on Lowering Voting Age to 16 Canva

Empowering Youth Voices: Croatian VP Urges Parliamentary Talks on Lowering Voting Age to 16

Written by  Jan 28, 2024

Vice President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica, has called on the Croatian Parliament to discuss lowering the voting age in the upcoming parliamentary term ahead of the European elections, where citizens younger than 18 will vote in five countries.

During the 78th session of the European Affairs Committee of the Croatian Parliament, Šuica presented the European Commission's work plan for 2024, a year distinct from previous ones as it marks the last year of the current composition before the European elections in June.

For the first time, citizens aged 16 and 17 will participate in the elections in five member states. Šuica, Commissioner for Demography and Democracy, proudly emphasized her personal commitment to including the voices of young people during the Conference on the Future of Europe. She expressed her desire for the Croatian Parliament to engage in discussions about voting for those under 18 in the next term.

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Vice President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica - Photo Twitter 

Additionally, Šuica outlined the Commission's focus for 2024, addressing climate neutrality, improved conditions for artificial intelligence development, initiatives for economic growth, and demographic challenges crucial for ensuring the EU's global competitiveness.

While highlighting the positive aspect of Europeans living longer, Šuica also acknowledged the continent's challenge of losing its working-age population. She stressed the necessity of adapting laws to these new conditions, aiming to keep older individuals in the labor market longer.

Šuica suggested that addressing demographic challenges requires a combination of local, national, and European efforts. She reminded the Committee that the European Commission presented a toolkit in October last year, offering member states various options to activate in this area.

In the final year of its mandate, the Commission will introduce a new European space law, conduct a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, launch initiatives on biotechnology and bio-production, work on children's rights, and present a communication on the impact of the Union's enlargement on its functioning.

 

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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