Lowering the minimum age of candidacy for parliament to 18 from the current 25 is one of the constitutional changes being debated in addition to the constitutional change that will make Turkey an executive presidential system. Ultimately, there are 7.5 million voters in the 18-25 age range, making their role in the upcoming referendum crucial.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been defending its proposal on the basis of Turkey’s dominant young population that calls for more youth in politics. The AKP had lowered the age of parliament candidacy to 25 from 30 in 2006.
