President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides described today as a historic day for democracy in Cyprus, since the Council of Ministers will approve, as he said, the right to participate in electoral processes from the age of 17.
Addressing the members of the Council of Ministers at the start of today's meeting, the President of the Republic said that today is an important day for the implementation of one of our most basic priorities, which is the strengthening of participatory democracy in our country.
"As I announced a while ago, today we are moving forward with the right to participate in electoral processes, the right to vote from the age of 17 and automatic registration on the electoral rolls," he said.
The President noted that we trust our young men and women and we want them to participate in state decisions, to have a say and a role.
He added that the decision, which comes as a continuation of other actions to strengthen the participation of our youth in civic life, is a key priority of our government.
"Let me remind you that by utilizing technology, we have moved forward with some platforms, where young people have a say and a role in all issues that concern the state, all issues that concern the Council of Ministers," said the President.
He also reminded that, from preschool age, the skills and civic education lesson was included, to help our young people have the necessary infrastructure and background to participate in the electoral processes.
"I hope there will be an immediate response from the House of Representatives, so that in the next electoral process, which is the parliamentary elections of 2026, our young people from the age of 17, as is the case in other EU member states, will participate in the electoral process," he said.
In his statements, he also emphasized that "we have absolute confidence in our young men and women, and in many of the issues we discuss in public debate, they are pioneers with the initiatives they take and with their positions."
He stated that we trust them completely and we want them to be able to vote, decide, and elect those "who at the end of the day, through their decisions, through our decisions, determine and influence their own future."
"So, it is a historic day for democracy in our country and I hope there will be an immediate response from the House of Representatives," he concluded.
