Should 16-year-olds vote?

(JB) Politicians are to discuss proposals to lower the legal voting age from 18 to 16.

The issue was recently raised in a bill proposed by liberal deputy Eugene Berger, which was rejected in the Chambre des Députés.

The Government reiterated arguments made by the State Council that granting 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote would be insufficient given that they have limited powers elsewhere over their lives.

It said in a statement: “Where is the logic if a 16-year-old is politically capable but unable to freely dispose of his property?”

In Luxembourg a young person is not eligible to take their driving test until they turn 18. Furthermore, the legal age of marriage for a man is 18 years old (16 for a woman). However, under Luxembourg law individuals may apply to access these rights at an earlier age.

Lowering the legal age to vote has been suggested in a handful of countries around the world, including in the UK, where it is currently fixed at 18.

In the US, voters as young as 17 can cast their vote in primaries provided that they are 18 on or before election day. Iran was the only country with the youngest voting age, which was set at 15 until it was raised to 18 in 2007.