For the first time, people in Germany aged 16 and over will be allowed to cast a ballot in the European elections in two weeks' time, in a milestone for voting rights in the country.
The previous minimum voting age of 18 was lowered in November 2022 - although for elections to the national parliament, the minimum age is still 18.
The new law is adding about 1.4 million German voters to the electoral roll, and means that Germany is joining Austria, Belgium and Malta in allowing voting at 16. But to what extent are young people in Germany politically engaged in Europe?
Schoolyard politics
Having the opportunity to participate in democracy as early as possible will "ultimately also reduce disenchantment with politics," says Joshua Meisel, chairman of the Baden-Württemberg State Pupils' Advisory Council.
"You realize early on that you can have a say, that you are taken seriously as a young voter."
Meisel, 19, remembers how vigorously the 2016 Trump vs Biden presidential election in the United States was discussed at school, even in year 5, where pupils are aged 11.
But would children talk about the EU elections as much?
"Europe is a subject that divides opinion a little. There are some who are very passionate about Europe," he says. And then there are others for whom regional, local and national politics are more important.
Meisel himself is an enthusiastic European: "Personally, I think Europe is very, very important, including voting and taking part, because the EU has long been a guarantee of peace in Europe."
Global thinking at 16
According to youth researcher Klaus Hurrelmann from the Berlin Hertie School, "Europe has a very positive image among the younger generation."
In the European Parliament's Eurobarometer survey, 91% of 15 to 24-year-olds said that voting in the European elections was important to them.
"It is a great opportunity to set the voting age at school, because we have this state institution that can introduce the topic to all eligible voters," says Holger Hofmann, chairman of children's rights group Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk.
"They realize that the problems they face in the world can only be solved globally," says Hofmann, adding that this leads them to think about action on the European level.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were around 1.4 million 16 and 17-year-old first-time voters in Germany at the end of 2023 who are now allowed to vote in the European elections.
How many will actually go to the polls is an open question. Some analyses have shown a trend towards lower voter turnout among younger age groups.
Researcher Hurrelmann says older generations see voting as a social duty and appreciate the fact that it is possible to vote freely.
Younger people need to see an impact and "prefer to go to the polls when their vote really counts," he said.
Clear messages and social media
Hurrelmann is convinced that by the age of 14, young people are already able to judge what happens in an election. At the age of 16, it is therefore possible for them to express a voting preference.
In order to attract this young group of voters, he said, parties need to take clear positions and communicate in a way the new electorate understands.
"Most political information is received via digital platforms," explains Hurrelmann. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) makes particularly good use of social media to reach young people.
The far-right and populist parties as a whole are expected to do well in the June polls, which take place from June 6-9 across the continent.
The AfD campaigns "resonate with the younger generation and the party is doing very well as a result," he says. Other parties are having to catch up, he said.
"They are doing this now - it may yet prove enough to catch up in the election campaign."
Parallel election for 1.26 million (even) younger people
Running parallel to the real European Parliament elections in Germany is the Juniorwahl, or Junior Election 2024. Pupils from year 7, so age 13, can take part.
The legal right to vote from the age of 16 has provided an impetus for younger children to get involved, says Gerald Wolff from Juniorwahl. "We are seeing extremely high demand: The number of schools involved has doubled compared to the last European elections."
According to the figures, one in three schools will take part in the dummy election, meaning some 1.26 million young people in an initiative supported by around 40,000 politics teachers.
"You can see that the right to vote from the age of 16 has definitely caused a shift," says Wolff. The project has been offering political education for over 20 years and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
Scientific studies have also shown that starting early helps bolster democracy: Those who vote for the first three times in their lives are more likely to vote for the rest of their lives. "It's all about the fight against indifference," Wolff says.
