Giving a voice to youth: for a stronger European democracy

Europe is our heritage and our future. Yet, faced with the challenges ahead, a growing gap separates young people from the political world. This disconnection is not due to a lack of engagement, but rather to a sense of powerlessness and a perception of institutions far removed from our concerns. As Young Democrats for Europe, we believe it is our duty to bridge this gap, drawing on our values of freedom, enthusiasm, and generosity.

Criticisms of the political class

Despite the rhetoric of inclusion, the current political class struggles to meaningfully integrate young people. The main criticisms that can be made are as follows:

1. Chronic underrepresentation: the presence of young people under 35 in the European Parliament and national parliaments is remarkably low. This generational imbalance prevents the full consideration of the opportunities and challenges facing our generation, whether in terms of climate, housing, employment, or social rights.

2. Lack of genuine dialogue: young people are often perceived as a subject of study or an electoral target, rather than a full partner. Consultations are often superficial, and final decisions do not always reflect the proposals put forward by young people.

3. A misunderstanding of modes of engagement: the current political class tends to value only traditional forms of engagement (parties, elections), while ignoring or minimizing the importance of civil society activism, online activism or citizen movements.

4. Short-term policies: political decisions are often focused on immediate electoral gains, without considering the long-term consequences for future generations.

Our ways to strengthen youth participation in politics

For a truly representative and engaged democracy, it is crucial to consider youth engagement in the broadest sense. Here are concrete solutions to strengthen youth participation in politics:

1. Strengthen civic education: integration of school programs that explain in a concrete and interactive way how democracies and European institutions work.

2. Establishment of digital platforms for dialogue: creation of online tools so that young people can participate in debates and public consultations in a simple and accessible way

3. Ensuring diverse representation: ensuring that bodies like the European Commission’s Youth Advisory Board include not only national youth councils, but also international non-governmental youth organizations (INGYOs).

4. Supporting civic activism: providing more funding to youth associations and citizen movements so they can develop their activities.

5. Adoption of the “Youth Check”: evaluation of the impact of all public policies on young people under 35 before their adoption.

6. Simplify access to information: make political documents and party programs more understandable and accessible to all.

7. Promotion of mentors and role models: highlighting young leaders who are successfully engaging in politics and civil society to inspire other young people.

8. Lowering the voting age: consider lowering the age of political majority for local, national or European elections, to give citizens an earlier say in decisions that affect them.

Europe’s youth is a force of creativity and optimism. It’s up to us to show that politics can be a place of solutions, dialogue, and progress. By investing in youth participation, we’re not just strengthening democracy, we’re building Europe’s future

The Young Democrats for Europe (YDE) call for full respect of democracy, freedom of speech, and youth rights in the European Union and in Turkey alike.

Enes Hocaoğulları, a young LGBTQIA+ activist and delegate to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, remains unjustly detained in Turkey following his arrest on 5 August 2025. His continued imprisonment on politically motivated charges is a grave attack on human rights and democratic values.

YDE firmly believes in the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. Enes’s case embodies a disregard for these fundamental principles. His detention serves to silence dissent and intimidate young voices.We call on President Erdoğan and the Turkish authorities to immediately release Enes Hocaoğulları and all young activists unlawfully detained. We condemn this politically motivated persecution and demand a fair judicial process free from political interference. The crackdown on youth activists, the LGBTQIA+ community, and civil society must stop.

The Young Democrats for Europe will continue to advocate for a Europe where young people are free to express their views without fear of retaliation. Enes’s detention is a powerful reminder of the challenges we face and the vital importance of protecting democracy and human rights. We call on all democratic youth organisations to join us in our condemnation of this injustice and to maintain pressure until he is free.

Solidarity Against Oppression

The Young Democrats for Europe (YDE) stand in full solidarity with our friends and allies in LYMEC and the ALDE Party following the Russian Prosecutor General’s unjust decision to designate their activities as “undesirable” in Russia. This blatant attempt to silence and intimidate liberal voices is yet another attack on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It is also a clear recognition of the powerful and unwavering stance that LYMEC and ALDE Party have taken against Russia’s war in Ukraine and the systematic repression of freedoms in Russia.

As LYMEC and ALDE Party have rightly stated, this designation does not weaken their cause—it strengthens it. They are not anti-Russia; they are anti-Putin’s Russia. They stand for democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. They have been, and will continue to be, united and unwavering in their condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022.

We strongly condemn the Kremlin’s increasing repression of political opponents, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. The systematic labeling of individuals and organizations as “foreign agents,” “extremists,” or “undesirable” is a tool of intimidation designed to crush any form of dissent. It is unacceptable, and we stand in solidarity with those in Russia who continue to fight for democracy despite the immense risks they face.

YDE fully supports LYMEC and ALDE Party in their continued efforts to uphold European values. The Russian government may attempt to silence dissent, but it will never succeed in extinguishing the ideals of democracy and human rights that we all fight for. This unjust designation will not deter us—it only strengthens our resolve.

Now, more than ever, democrats across Europe must stand united against authoritarianism. YDE remains committed to working alongside LYMEC, ALDE, and all those who believe in a free and democratic future for Europe and beyond.