Esma Mert, 16 years old, trainee as an office management clerk, from Schwabing-Nord
A few years ago I would have said that I didn’t want to vote at 16. But that has changed: When I see how many would vote for the AfD, I definitely want to vote to stop this party. I have Turkish roots, but I was born and raised in Germany and I feel comfortable in this country and in Munich. I really want to stay here! That’s why I want to get involved and participate. I want to change something. Because politics also affects my life. I took social studies at secondary school, I know what it’s like, and the other young people I know would also like to vote and express their opinions.
Antonius Bußmann, 16 years old, student at the Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium, from Perlach
Antonius Bußmann is in favor of voting from the age of 16.
(Photo: private)
The needs of young people are currently given far too little consideration in politics. That’s why I really want to vote! At the age of 16, young people have a similar understanding of politics as 18-year-olds, but they have a different perspective. They are still going to school or their school days have just ended. Education is one of the most important topics of all, alongside environmental and climate protection. We should learn much earlier in school how to get involved politically and how the political system works so that we can change more, for ourselves and the generations after us. At my school I founded a politics working group with a teacher; we meet every two weeks and talk about politics. I know many people who would like to vote. We young people want to be taken into account!
Miriam Sulubika, 16 years old, student at the technical high school, from Feldmoching-Hasenbergl
Miriam Sulubika doesn’t want to vote herself yet, but she would like it if 16-year-olds could decide for themselves.
(Photo: private)
At school I learned a lot about the Hitler era, but little about today’s parties. It would be difficult for me to choose a party and that’s why I don’t want to vote yet. But other 16-year-olds who know better and want to should be able to vote. In two years I’ll definitely know better, and then I’ll want to vote. I don’t think politicians care about young people and their needs. They are more interested in the economy. For example, I don’t think the school system in Bavaria is good. After elementary school I went to middle school, my path is much more difficult than that for children at high school. It would be much better if the students were split up later, starting in sixth grade, or not at all.
Amanpreet Singh Dhillon, 16 years old, office management trainee, from Eichenau
Amanpreet Singh Dhillon is against voting from 16.
(Photo: private)
I think it’s completely okay that you’re only allowed to vote when you’re of legal age. I believe that young people between the ages of 16 and 18 gain a lot of experience. Either they graduate from high school or their working life begins – at this age you make a lot of progress and I believe that is necessary in order to be able to make a good decision when making your choice. But I think it’s important to learn more about politics earlier and more at school, perhaps starting in seventh grade. There is so much to learn, about fundamental rights for example, and so more young people would definitely be interested in politics – and they would be better informed. I rarely talk about politics with friends and family. But before I vote for the first time, I definitely want to talk to others about it.
Henrike Ludwig, 16 years old, student at Maria-Ward-Gymnasium, from Neuhausen
Henrike Ludwig, 16, a student from Munich, is against voting from the age of 16.
(Photo: private)
Personally, I don’t want to vote yet. In order to make a truly intelligent and well-founded voting decision, I would have to read up on political issues even more. Nevertheless, I can understand the 16-year-olds who want to take part in an election. Everyone should be aware of the possible consequences that their own actions can have. This also includes personal party choice. In my opinion, some young people would be overwhelmed by this task. Unfortunately, sometimes some, not all, young people act irresponsibly – voting is too important for that. Although I took social studies last school year, I still find it difficult to understand the political system. In order to ensure that young people’s concerns are heard, I am involved as a student representative and in the educational policy city school student council in Munich.