Szymon Hołownia, who leads the Poland 2050 movement, has floated granting voting rights to 16-year-olds. The former television personality argues that young people are often more aware than some current voters because they are actively defending the climate and pushing for changes, such as calling for Minister Przemysław Czarnek to step down from the education portfolio.
Voting rights for 16-year-olds?
Speaking to supporters in Wrocław, Hołownia suggested a plan to allow 16-year-olds to participate in elections, starting with local government elections to test the concept.
Hołownia cautioned against overpromising to any group, noting that if promises are made without limits, the implied obligations on future generations could become burdensome.
In a conversation with Wyborcza, he stated that extending voting rights to 16-year-olds in local elections would not require a constitutional amendment, based on his interpretation of the current legal framework.
Today’s 16-year-olds actively organize movements to defend schools from policies they oppose, push for climate action, and are arguing that they deserve a greater say in local governance. Hołownia highlighted this activism in statements and reiterated the point on social media.
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— Hołownia argues for lowering the voting age to 16, stressing the need for youth participation today
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— Hołownia’s pre-election considerations and potential collaborations
Internet reactions
Online commentators weighed in on Hołownia’s idea. Some viewed it as populist, while others warned about extending voting rights to younger ages beyond the 16-year mark, sparking broader questions about eligibility for younger groups.
Comments circulated about whether a broader conception of voting rights could apply to younger ages or other groups, prompting debates about the balance between civic engagement and safeguarding responsible participation.
Critics noted that a 16-year-old cannot yet purchase certain goods or services, drive, marry, or undertake other legal actions, and questioned whether political rights should align with those limitations. Others argued that youth voices often bring fresh perspectives that deserve consideration in political discourse.
Some readers called for clarity on whether extending voting rights would apply broadly to all civic duties or be limited to electoral participation, and whether adolescence should influence broader political rights over time.
The discussion touches on the broader arc of adolescence and civic identity in modern societies, with some observers noting that the period of mature civic decision-making can extend beyond traditional teenage years. This has led to ongoing debates about the appropriate age for different types of civic participation.
WK/TT
Source withheld by request for context