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Cypriot president Nicos Christodoulides said Wednesday that the Council of ministers would allow citizens as young as 17 to vote in elections, along with automatic voter registration, calling it a historic day for democracy in the country.
The President emphasized during the Council of Ministers’ meeting that this step is in line with one of his key priorities—strengthening participatory democracy in Cyprus.
“Today, we’re moving forward with the right for 17-year-olds to vote and automatically be included in the electoral rolls,” he 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.”
The move comes as part of a broader effort by the Cypriot government to involve young people in public life. Christodoulides reminded the Council that the government has been using technology to provide platforms where youth can engage in discussions about national issues and changes to the school curriculum that started in 2024, where civic education is now taught from a young age to equip children with the knowledge and skills to participate in the democratic process.
“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. That’s why it’s important that they get the right to vote,” he said.
Christodoulides hopes the House of Representatives will act quickly so that the new law can be in place for the 2026 parliamentary elections, allowing young people to cast their votes just like their peers in other EU countries.
He said that the decision marks a key milestone in the country’s journey toward greater democracy and youth involvement in public life. [Kathimerini Cyprus]