“Restart” for Youth Councils with electronic voting
Interior Ministry is moving to revitalize Municipal Youth Councils, a body established in 2006 to promote youth participation in local governance but which has seen limited activity in recent years. Currently, only 24 out of 332 municipalities operate active youth councils.
Under new provisions included in the upcoming Local Government Code, the ministry aims to strengthen the institution by introducing electronic voting and expanding participation. The draft legislation is expected to go to public consultation before being submitted to Parliament.
Youth Councils will become mandatory in all municipalities with more than 2,000 residents. Members will serve 30-month terms, with the first elections expected in October. Voting rights will be granted to young people aged 17–28, while candidates must be 18–28 years old. Registration in the Youth Registry will no longer be required; being listed on the electoral roll will suffice.
Candidacies will be submitted electronically through a dedicated Interior Ministry platform. Elections will be conducted exclusively online, allowing young voters to cast their ballots via mobile phone or tablet in cooperation with the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology Network.
The number of council members will depend on municipal population, ranging from three members in small municipalities to 15 in the Municipality of Athens. Voters will be able to select one or more candidates depending on council size.
Youth Councils will meet at least once every two months to discuss local issues and concerns. They may submit one issue for discussion at each special accountability session of the mayor, and the council president will have the right to speak at municipal council meetings.
