site.btaIn Austria, Most 16-Year-Old First-Time Voters Expected to Go to Polls on June 9

In the final week before the elections, expectations that most 16-year-old first-time voters would go to the polls for the European elections in Austria on June 9 run high, said Christina Seeger on Thursday. Seeger is the head of the Institute for Media and Communication Studies at the University of Klagenfurt. She added that nearly 6% of Austria's seven million voters are sixteen years old. About half of these teenagers and young adults are interested in politics.

Environmental protection, climate change mitigation, poverty reduction, combating social inequality, and advancing mental health are key topics in European politics that resonate with Austria's youth. Seeger emphasized securing peace as a key element in EU elections.

The younger generation's sense of neglect by politicians boosts approval ratings for right-wing populist groups. Experts believe social media plays a key role in this. Seeger notes that these groups, recognizing the importance of social media early, have consistently succeeded on these platforms.

European Parliament election results will serve as an indicator for key trends in Austria's upcoming parliamentary elections. The Freedom Party of Austria is expected to win, with the Austrian People's Party and the Social Democratic Party of Austria competing for the runner-up spot. The liberal NEOS and The Greens – The Green Alternative are expected to lag, while the Communist Party of Austria is not expected to surpass the 4% threshold required for representation in the European Parliament.