In a rare show of unity, Parliament banded together to pass a law that gives the right to vote to 16-year-olds in Malta and Gozo. Malta will soon be joining the likes of Austria, Brazil and Cuba in extending this right to 16-year-olds.

The decision comes after a campaign by Parliamentary Secretary for reforms Julia Farrugia Portelli, who said that “just as they are capable of making decisions about their career and future, so too are they capable of choosing which direction the country should take.”

However, the response to the new right for Maltese youth has been mixed. 

Many people are supporting the progressive initiative and its extension of rights, while others – among them youths themselves – are criticising the new law.

There were those who praised the Vot16 initiative

And there were those who raised their concerns 

While some of the public may be still deciding how they feel about the new right, it is good to see the usually warring sides of Maltese politics step outside their usual mud-slinging to come together to support this right.

How do you feel about the right to vote being given to 16-year-olds in Malta?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]