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Examination of Opinions on Reducing Young People’s Election Age To 18
JOURNAL OF YOUTH RESEARCHES
A participant named “Üvercinka” from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University has not been
affected by this change:
“In the future I want to be a beneficial individual to my country but I plan it in a different
field. That is why it does not influence my future plans. But I want to help the intelli-
gent, confident young people for the sake of the country.”
Conclusions and Recommendations
About the April 17, 2017 Constitutional Amendment referendum, there are positive
opinions of young people on the issue of lowering the age of candidacy from 25 to 18
however, there are different opinions, as well.
Those who participated in the survey from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University were
more positive towards lowering the age of candidacy from 25 to 18 than the students
of Ahi Evran University. Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University students have also stated
that lowering the age of candidacy from 25 to 18 influenced the future goals of young
people.
It is important to examine the opinions of young people about this change. After
this process, political parties need to carry out their work in consideration of this
change.
In this context, the following suggestions can be given:
• Political parties should establish political academies for young people, introduce
young people to politics and provide them with necessary education.
• In order to gain experience in politics, young people should be recruited into
MKYK, FMC and provincial administrations and politics should be prepared here.
• With this change, courses related to political science can be added to higher edu-
cation and secondary education programs.
• Universities’ continuing education centers can provide training on key issues relat-
ed to political science.
• Political parties can apply special discounts on tuition fees for young people to
ensure that young people gain experience by entering the nomination process.
