17 year old Cypriot citizens get the right to vote

In a groundbreaking move for Cyprus, President Nicos Christodoulides called today a historic day for democracy in the country. At the opening of the Council of Ministers' meeting, the President revealed that the Council would approve a major change: allowing citizens as young as 17 to vote in elections, along with automatic voter registration.

The President emphasized 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," Christodoulides said. "This is an important decision that we are making today, and it’s about giving young people a voice in the decisions that shape our country."

This move comes as part of a broader effort by the 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. He also highlighted 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.

The President also expressed confidence in the younger generation, noting that many of today’s most important public debates are being led by young people, who often take the initiative and set the tone with their ideas and positions. He stressed that the government wants to empower them even more by allowing them to vote and help shape the decisions that will ultimately affect their future.

“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.

In closing, the President called this a "historic day" for Cyprus, marking a key milestone in the country’s journey toward greater democracy and youth involvement in public life. He looks forward to the immediate response from the House of Representatives to make this important change a reality.