# Hungarian voting age reduction debate

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-voting-age-reduction-debate
> Updated: 2026-08-20T15:01:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In Hungary, discussions have emerged regarding a proposal to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. Education and Children Minister Judit Lannert expressed support for the measure, a position also shared by opposition MP Peter Magyar, who argued that most youths under 18 are sufficiently informed for electoral participation. 

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony indicated conditional support, suggesting the change might first be implemented for municipal elections. Implementing such a change would necessitate a constitutional amendment and the drafting of new election laws, a process estimated to take one to two years.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Germany voting age regulations and eligibility rules

Germany's voting age varies by election type; while federal elections require voters to be 18, some states are lowering the age to 16 for local and state elections.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-voting-age-regulations-and-eligibility-rules

### 2026-07-29: Hungary debates lowering the voting age to 16

Hungary’s education minister and opposition MP back a proposal to lower the voting age to 16, pending constitutional reform and a new election law.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-debates-lowering-the-voting-age-to-16

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Cite as: Hungarian voting age reduction debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hungarian-voting-age-reduction-debate