FZL welcomes vote extension proposal
The Forum Żgħażagħ Laburisti has welcomed Labour leader Joseph Muscat’s proposal for the voting age for local elections to be lowered to 16 years, saying it would create the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of young people.
The Labour Party, it pointed out, was also the party which had spearheaded the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18.
The forum said 16-year-olds were already taking important decisions particularly relating to education. This included the choice of subjects and the educational institutions they were to attend.
Young people, it said, could come up with fresh and innovative ideas for their localities.
There, therefore, should be an an open debate on the idea expressed by the Labour leader. Those who were opposing it point blank were only telling young people they did not have anything to offer society.
The MZPN yesterday also backed the proposal, saying it publicly made a similar proposal some time ago.
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R. Buttigieg
Aug 22nd 2008, 00:18
@ D. Micallef.
I am 22 years old...not that far away from your "glorified" age of 16. I know for sure that a 16 year old can barely control his/her hormonal instincts...not to mention the decision making that is to be done that will be of effect nationwide.
They need their space its true...to continue evolving as persons, educate themselves, keep themselves in shape and get hand of social and political values and ethics, thus bieng able to give a pure formation to their character and thus after 2 years, they will be abel to make decisions themselves.
Stop this influential mentality. I know for sure that there will not be a 16 year old that will agree with my statement. But i know WHY.
A 16 year old feels that he/she is an adult and therefore wants to be independent and responsible. It is good to let them take their own decisions, but they still need guidance and correction.
Remember that by letting a 16 year old vote, you will be placing the future of the island on a broader plate.
Nikita Zammit Alamango
Aug 21st 2008, 08:31
@ R Aguis
"You don't need a vote to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for your locality" Of course! Initially one will agree with this statement.
However, its a known fact that if one has an incentive while working,or in this case participating in politics, the outcome is better off.
Imagine a 17 yr old takes part actively in a particular local council however, when its time to actually fulfill their duty through voting, their right is deprieved.
I am sure that if both parties launch clean and responsible campaigns, this will eventually be a very fruitful decision.
D.Micallef
Aug 21st 2008, 00:34
@ R Buttigieg
1. Being directly involved in decision making is spoiling???? We're speaking of widening our democratic base and political debate here, not encouraging them to embark on some illicit activity.
2. Teenagers today have much more access to information and what's going on around them, especially on the web.
3. At 16, youngsters lay the foundations for the rest of their lives, either by continuing their studies and choosing their area of specialisation, or by starting working and contributing to the country just like 'adults' do.
4. Youngsters are more likely to think twice and swing from one party to the other, rather than the majority of older people who never evaluate the performance of their respective party, and just vote like they did for their whole life.
5. 16 year olds need their space and NOW. they are not just the future, they are the present.
R. Buttigieg
Aug 20th 2008, 23:01
"Kullhadd jaghmel minn kollox biex jirbah il massa proletarja"
What person in the right state of mind would give a 16 year old the right to vote?
My Guess would be, a person who knows how to attract the youngsters and influencing them to vote for the party. This would be just the start and then move on to the General Elections.
1. Let the children/young adults live their teens and not spoil them with politics.
2. There are enough brainwashed people on the island...we dont need more and surely dont need to bring up our children in a biased environment.
3. MLP is always trying to get the sympathy of those who will be voting in the next elections.
4. Having a good popularity % in the cottonera area, with a good number of 16+/- year old kids, that support MLP, it would be the easiest way to propose a nationwide reform that will lead to a change in government.
5. I am not saying this because I am a PN supporter, nor cause i am against MLP, but because I just want the right electoral system for MALTA
Franco Farrugia
Aug 20th 2008, 20:22
@ Daniel Agius - What are you on about? There are elves in both camps! Or is it that as soon as you see an opinion at variance with yours, you dismiss it as coming from an 'elf'?
Of course FZL welcomes the proposal - as if it would do otherwise!
Daniel Agius
Aug 20th 2008, 16:28
I'm glad that the MLP elves have changed their strategy - no more fabricated letters in the independent newspapers!!! Well done!!!
The 8th March earthquake seems to have worked quite well amongst the mighty elves!
Satisfied that some of them are still doing the rounds in these blogs and online debates. Your political contribution is much appreciated!
A.Borg
Aug 20th 2008, 12:03
This is the right approach that we should adopt in order to introduce progressive measures in Malta. We've had enough of this conservative government, closing both eyes to social realities that have changed over the years. Nowadays, 16yr olds are mature enough not only in taking important decisions regarding their education, but also engage in part-time or summer work, enter relationships, managing their own bank accounts, travel independently of their parents, and also vote in student elections. In Malta we've had an 18yr old mayor who did an excellent job. Other young mayors are leading by example. What's wrong in awarding voting rights to 16yr olds - it's just an experiment after all. If it doesnt work, we can abolish the proposal - but first we must try it out!
Lest we forget, Labour was also the driving force after universal suffrage in Malta. Back then, the Nationalist Party was against the introduction of voting rights to women!
Randolph De Battista
Aug 20th 2008, 11:33
A very important proposal which, contrary to what was reported in The Times, it is being endorsed by a lot of youths across the country. Its good to see the important endorsement of the progressive youth branch within the MLP. Congrats to FZL which is proving that the progressive line of thought is needed so much in this country!
Alex Saliba
Aug 20th 2008, 11:30
A new prograssive way of doing politics, wlecome to a new generation of winners, Welcome to a postitive thinking zone. Youths have also an important role in our community and therfore they have a right to give out their opinions on electing their local (communal) goverment!
Let us all re-unite our forces to change our country from a conservative state to a progressive one. It's very positive that MZPN have also agreed with this proposal, this canot become a partisan issue it's a national one that has to unite us all!
Charmaine Calleja
Aug 20th 2008, 11:08
"the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of young people." - This is the right approach to this issue
R Agius
Aug 20th 2008, 10:53
You don't need a vote to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for your locality - you just need a bunch of open minded councillors who are willing to listen to contributions regardless of age. Lowering the voting age will not, in my opinion, change anything in terms of results and performance of the local councils.