Tuesday, 19th August 2008 - 13:35CET

European socialists also discussing lower voting age

The Labour leader’s proposal to allow 16-year-olds to vote in council elections is in line with what the Party of the European Socialists (PES) is proposing for its June 2009 European Parliament elections manifesto.

Claudette Abela Baldacchino, one of five PES manifesto coordinators within the Committee of the Regions (CoR) told timesofmalta.com that the PES group in the CoR had been discussing this proposal, which had come from the Young European Socialists (ECOSY), for the past months.

In his weekly opinion piece published in The Times yesterday, Dr Muscat said that lowering the voting age to 16 from 18 for local elections would be a way of involving young people in local government. He said this was one of the proposals on local government reform discussed at party level.

Ms Abela Baldacchino said the thinking in the PES is that in order to boost young people's interest and participation in the running of their localities, they should also be involved in the elections.

“This is a realistic solution because together we can make Europe work.”

“We have to go to grass-root level to discuss and debate these issues. This is what we are doing at party level, and this is very much in line with what the European Socialists are doing in their home towns,” Ms Abela Baldacchino said.

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Comments

Denis Catania (on 20/8/08)

Although I do believe you should be 18 to vote. Maybe it's just by habit. I also believe that my 17 year old son is capable of making a good political argument, since he was 14. With cable TV and the internet they are more informed, than any other generation.

anthony grech (on 19/8/08)

I' m sure that Ms Abela Baldacchino would be of a great contribution both to Malta and even to Europe! My number 1 vote is surely for her!

Stephen Sultana (on 19/8/08)

Certainly, Claudette is a potential contender since she has a vast experience, bearing in mind what she has attained during these last years by representing the Local Council Association in the International fora. I believe that she will be one of the MLP MEP candidates for sure.

J.CUTAJAR (on 19/8/08)

MR L. GRECH. If you believe in democracy leave every one to use his rights. Everyone is free in the European Union. If you believe that you have all the abilities submit your name too, but leave others in freedom, if you are a democratic person.

Keith Abela (on 19/8/08)

History has shown us that Good Journalists can also be MEPs that distinguish themselves. After four years in the European Union, the Maltese people have achieved indeed through the representation and work done by Labour MEPs in the European Parliament. The majority of the Maltese have invested well and will do so next time round. I strongly belive that Claudette has the necessary experience that is well backed by her academic achievements in Social Administration and especially in the promotion of the further emancipation of women. With her achievements and experience within Local Social and European Institutions, Claudette should be an inspiration to all women working hard to further position themselves at the top. proving oneself is much harder than writing two or three sentences there or here. Proposals are presented for discussion and not as a way to enforce.

Louis Grech (on 19/8/08)

@J Cutajar
Claudette should stick to her job as part of the MLP propaganda machine and Kunsillier for Qrendi. EU politics is serious. No place for amateurs.

Kevin Spiteri (on 19/8/08)

j.scerri

It is totally untrue what you're saying, altough I am pro labour there are cases where I didn't agree with the MLP leader. What are you trying to say, that I would have agreed if the voting age would be reduced to 10? Come on don't be funny! 16 is the lowest we can go in my opinion, and by the way... it was not my 'mexxej' that said YES, it's being discussed by all the so called 'mexxeja' of parties members in the PES. Of course it is a "well informed vote", this is maybe because 16 year old haven't yet gome to university, and therfore cannot be brainwashed? An I'm not in any way justifing the MLP leader's proposal, I'm justyfing what labour did in the past and was proved right and what PN did'nt like. i.e. from age 21 to 18

J.Cutajar (on 19/8/08)

Claudette had done a lot of work in the committee of regions.Although I have never met her, she has all the qualifications to contest the EU elections next year. People like her will be an asset for Malta. Daniel agius its better to inform himself that even Lilly Gruber was a journalist with RAI and today forms part of the most compact part of the European Parliament THE SOCIALIST GROUP. So Claudette keep moving in you prestigiuos work and offer your time and ability to this country Malta. I am sure you already starting having support for this new opportuinty you are looking for. I will give you my support. Count on me.

Charles Sammut (on 19/8/08)

Only in Malta will we have 16 year olds voting but legally not allowed to have consensual sex before 18 yrs.

Just because European Socialists approve it does not mean that it is desirable or indeed beneficial.

Luke Vella (on 19/8/08)

can the Pn, The Prime minister give their views about this proposel. Till now no official statement was released by the PM!!!!

Louis Grech (on 19/8/08)

One can also call Claudette as a Degasperi or a Schuman. However the real fact is that she campaigned against the EU and made everything possible so that Malta is not represented at the EP or the Committee of the regions. One other thing...the Committee of the Regions dows not carry any weight in the EU.
In a normal country people like Claudette will be relegated to political history and contesting for an MEP would not even cross their minds. But this is Malta where everything is possible. Let's hope that Claudette keeps advancing in her career as a 'jornalist' with Super 1.

j.scerri (on 19/8/08)

@Kevin Spiteri.
What I really think is that if Joey Muscat propsed to lower voting age to 10, you would have said...well hang on, this is a good idea, because so and so. With the true reason being, because your mexxej said so...so it must be good. People like you prove that people are gullable to any sort of depths which further proves the case that people of 16 on average are not mature, politically naive and def not ready to cast a well informed vote that lays out the future of a nation.
It is irrelavent what PN thinks! I don't apologise for PN as you do for MLP.
As I said before (under a seperate note)...if you really belive that 16 y olds are ready for such big decisions, I wonder why you had not proposed some 16 year old to lead your party and possibly in 4 years time, at age 20 be primeminister. I bet that now and for the future you will never do so ! So may I suggest you get a mind of your own rather than trying to justify JM's proposal, will you ?

Kevin Spiteri (on 19/8/08)

S.Schembri,

The PN aplogists didn't agree because they didn't know the PN's position. Now that they know, I'm pretty sure they agree with it! We just wait and see!

L. Coleiro (on 19/8/08)

@ Daniel Agius

Well we already had JPO before the elections who declared of being a journalist!! So whats wrong now??

M. Brincat (on 19/8/08)

Ehm ... Daniel ... journalists ... politicians ... at least she's not a DENTIST as well!!! lol!!!

Well, why not a journalist and a politician? Is it OK for a politician to be a Doctor as well? Or a Lawyer? A Notary? Maybe yes ... but a journalist no? Well ... doesn't make much sense, does it my friend?

Daniel Agius (on 19/8/08)

Is Claudette a journalist or politician...As far as I know you can't do both!

Ohhh...this is 'Only in Malta'.

Going through some comments hereunder, I noticed she managed to use timesofmalta.com to start her personal campaign for MEP!

Mind me this is only the beginning, will surely have a look at the loggerheads with other MLP candidates!

The earthquake is just to get started!!!

Jeremy J Camilleri (on 19/8/08)

Blue ALert.,....Blue ALert...

Direct order:

Elements within the Pn are in favour of such a proposal....

Kindly delete any contributions calling Joseph Muscat derogatory names as it may yet rebound on us all....

Thank you...

TSSsk TSSSSSSSSSk
Over and out

This tape will self destruct in 5 seconds!

Charmaine Calleja (on 19/8/08)

Those who follow the work being done within the committee of the regions are aware of the great work done by claudette during the past years. I would describe her as the Joseph Muscat or Simon Busutill of the committe of the regions.

But after all this is not the issue here. The issue is about voting at 16 years of age and here i fully agree

M. Brincat (on 19/8/08)

R. Abela, I'm sure you don't know what you're talking about ... the work done by Claudette these last 5-7 years, especially in the last two years as a member of the Committee of the Regions within the EU, and within the PES.

Surely those who try to belittle Claudette and her work know little or nothing about the local and European scene!

S.Schembri (on 19/8/08)

Why are PN bloggers say that they do not want this system when also MZPN agrees with it? why not 14 ? A 16 year old starts making big decisions and actually they make their biggest decision ever!... either start working or continue education. as a student although I am over 16 actually i like such system so 16 year olds start to realise and interest themselves in politics ( adn by politics i do not meet mlp or pn only the national political system) therefore can give better contribution to the country. Also such measures would make the government to listen to what us students want especially at university and junior college. at least they start look at us and listen to what we need. I agree that such system would be implemented first of all at the local perspective even in order to involve more people on local levels.

R Abeal (on 19/8/08)

That's all we need ... another 'journalist' to represent us!!

R Agius (on 19/8/08)

As far as I am concerned it could be Lawrence Gonzi, Joseph Muscat and Arnold Cassola who all agree on voting age to be 16. I still think its stupid!

Roana Grixti (on 19/8/08)

Its a plausible initiative that may involve younger teens in the issues within their locality. Hopefully we ll be soon reaping more young fruitful ideas.

There s no doubt about it - M.Brincat is right. Ms Claduette Abela Baldacchino would be one of the best MEPs - able to voice and represent youths, women and people from all walks of life alike.

AZAM-PRADEILLES (on 19/8/08)

The EU needs more people like Claudette BALDACHINO in Parliament and I do hope she'll soon be given by Maltese electors the opportunity to strengthen democracy in Europe.

M. Brincat (on 19/8/08)

Karl ... the Partnership for Peace is a program which Malta joined right after election, March 2008, without prior agreement between the government and the opposition .... such an elementary mistake dents your argument. Sorry.

J Farrugia (on 19/8/08)

Instead of politicising all of Malta, why not give them some solid christian values. Today's lot is arrogant and irreverent. BTW why not give the voting right to all those in Australia who hold maltese citizenship, and why not give the vote to the under 12. Remember No taxation without representation and as soon as we are born we are paying taxes or vat. So..... This one wants to makeus the laughing stock of the world. Look at other countries.

J.Scerri (on 19/8/08)

Liam, why aren't they allowed to drive cars/busses/trucks/ as well ? Why not 15 years old ? You know that there are people working of 15 don't you? Some are given special permission to leave school at even 14 to go working for the family (this is with official blessing of the authorties)

Why not also promote some 16 year old to lead countries like Russia/USA/MALTA/etc or the MLP party. Well, as you say, if they can work/pay taxes etc.. why hasent anyone proposed a 16 year old to lead the MLP or the European socialists for that matter?

You know why don't you ! Thus I don't understand why to vote for the future of the entire nation(and in some cases (Russia/USA), the entire world), you are in favour, but on the other hand I do not see anyone proposing a 16 year old to lead your party.

Karl Abela (on 19/8/08)

Our Maltese socialists are suddenly so European that you are almost led to believe that it was them who wanted Malta to join the EU and not PN/AD. This change in attitude is very much welcomed however this goes to show how most labour supporters (the ones that voted against EU) were and still are brainwashed by their leaders. It also goes to show how pathetic the MLP is because they simply opposed every proposition made by the government in order to gain political mileage, irrespective of how damaging this was for the country. Do the Maltese European Socialists nowadays realise what would have happened if the referendum had gone their way? I have spoken to several staunch supporters of the Partnership for Peace program who are now all out for the EU. These people make me sick because they endangered the future of our country. Lets thank the Nationalist Party for our position in the EU. If it were for some politically blinded people God knows what would have happened. The least that these people can do now is talk contructively and unbiased instead of talking crap.

L. Coleiro (on 19/8/08)

Europe is discussing this issue and implementing it and our intellectuals make fun of Dr. Joseph Muscat for mentioning it.

That's how much european we really are!!!

Liam Borg (on 19/8/08)

Well done to the PES for embarking on this initiative. This is a new suffrage this time not be led by women or Negros but the youth worldwide. Sixteen year olds can work, they pay taxes, students also pay NI contributions, they can get married and abroad they can join the armed forces. Therefore if sixteen year olds are denied the right to vote than the law is WRONG.

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

PS. I strongly agree with this proposal, however first things first. I urge our parliamentarians to fix our pathetic electoral system with urgency. STV may be one of the fairest and most representative systems out there but MLP and PN enjoy unfair electoral domination. My political sympathy lies with the MLP but I want to see a third party in our parliament in my lifetime. A more dynamic parliament can only mean a better democracy for Malta and its people. I disagree that it will lead to political instability like that witnessed in Italy.

M. Brincat (on 19/8/08)

I am sure that Claudette Abela Baldacchino will make a fine MEP. My number 1 is for her, surely.

European socialists also discussing lower voting age

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