Politicians Target First-Time Voters as Young as 16 in Bid to Win Crucial Generation Z Support

With Greece’s general election looming, politicians are turning to a new, powerful voting bloc: teenagers and young adults. In a race shaped by uncertainty and shifting allegiances, the country’s estimated 430,000 first-time voters, many as young as 16, could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. As the election approaches, political campaigns are taking to platforms like TikTok and YouTube to engage this critical demographic, recognizing that these voters may hold the key to victory.

Stefanos Tsiandis, a 19-year-old economics student, exemplifies this growing trend of young, politically engaged voters. A first-time voter himself, he is adamant about his choice, proudly waving the flag of Pasok, a center-left party. He shares his excitement about participating in a vote that he believes truly matters. “Our vote counts, and mine will go to Pasok,” says Tsiandis. “It’s disgusting how they’re making all these promises to win our support. It says so much about our political system.”

With a tight race ahead, Greek politicians have focused considerable effort on appealing to young voters who are shaping the future of the political landscape. For many, this election marks their first opportunity to influence the country’s direction, and they’re taking it seriously. Tsiandis notes, “Maybe a lot are undecided, but you can be sure they won’t be backing the [centre-right] government.”

Sunday’s vote will be held under a system of proportional representation, making a majority victory for any party highly unlikely. As a result, a follow-up election in early July is anticipated, under an electoral system that would offer bonus seats to the winning party. This setup ensures that every vote counts, and with an estimated 13% of the electorate still undecided, the outcome of the election remains uncertain.

The race is especially tight given the fallout from a tragic incident earlier this year, when 57 lives were lost in a train crash in central Greece. Many believe the collision, which involved a freight and passenger train, could have been avoided, and the tragedy has had a profound effect on public sentiment. The current government, led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the center-right New Democracy party, is fighting to maintain its majority, with many voters questioning its handling of the situation.

As Greece prepares for what could be a decisive election, it is clear that the votes of young people will be crucial. With political campaigns increasingly relying on social media to reach these voters, the importance of the youth vote has never been more apparent.