Hungarian PM Supports the Right to Vote Starting at 16 Years Old

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar. (Photo: Wikipedia)

JAKARTA - Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar supports granting voting rights to citizens starting at the age of 16. The idea will be discussed in the preparation of a new constitution that is being prepared by his government.

Anadolu Agency quoted Saturday, July 18, saying Magyar assessed that most Hungarians under the age of 18 were ready and had sufficient information to participate in political decision-making.

"I believe that today most people under the age of 18 are ready and have sufficient information to participate in making collective decisions," Magyar wrote on the X social media platform on Saturday.

The Magyar government came to power after the April 2026 general election. The government is now preparing a wide-ranging package of constitutional reforms.

In addition to lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 years, Magyar supports limiting the term of office of members of parliament. According to him, this step can improve the quality of politics in parliament.

In the same post, Magyar said his government had revived the parliamentary tradition. He accused former Prime Minister Viktor Orban of trying to weaken the role of the institution for 16 years.

Similar debates are also taking place in the UK. The British government this week announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election.