Young people in front of the Liberal party booth
BY LORINA CERNOGAL, ZINOVIA FRAGKIADAKI & JOHANNA FINNHOLM
Elections in Sweden are set to be held on September 9 and young voters of Gothenburg are an important group for the parties to reach.
According to the 2018 Valmyndigheten statistics, the young generation of Gothenburg accounts for 22.9% of the city population, becoming an increasing political force that can affect the turnout of these elections. So why is it important for the youth to become educated on political matters and hold the parties accountable on their agenda?
“I have already voted and I think it is important to ensure equality and keep society together. Moreover, since social media has some bad consequences for democracy, like the manipulation of information that gave Trump the presidency ” Josipa Pilipovic, a 28 year old student.
By voting, the youth influences issues that might affect their lives for years to come, including education, employment and healthcare. Though millennials have found their footing in a well-established economy, the major issues that they care about are: healthcare, environment, gender equality and immigration.
Although there are many ways to engage in politics, the youth participates less in traditional methods of influencing politics and prefer to use social media and the internet instead.
“I don’t participate in politics and even if I am going to vote, it’s going to be a blank,” says Gustav, a 22 year old construction worker. “My older colleagues are also very disappointed with the politics, as the parties did not listen to the popular vote on the tunnel.”
As often stated, youth expresses the lack of information as a main determinant of not voting. To inform and raise awareness about the importance of electoral participation, the Gothenburg City sends postcards to all first-time voters and texts them to remind them to vote.
“It is important to vote to influence. Young people don’t realize that everyday things like school and taxes are politics.” highlights Hanna Friberg, a 23 years old volunteer for the Moderaterna party. “Now, the economy in the country is good and because of that, the youth tends to be less engaged in the elections. But the economy will go down and everyone should decide where their taxes are going.”
For many millennials, adulthood brings many new challenges and their decisions can affect the political agenda. It is not enough to engage in social media only, but also take part in the foundation of the democracy. Your vote makes a change!
