„Wahlrecht von Geburt an” — Rettung der Demokratie oder Irrweg?

Abstract

Members of the Bundestag brought forward a joint motion that advocates the introduction of a “suffrage by birth“, i.e. an expansion of suffrage, including children, by establishing a representative parent-suffrage (allowing parents to vote additionally in the name of their children). The pros and cons about the motion can be critically assessed with regard to their appropriateness and logic of argumentation. Firstly, there are arguments linked to a better policy-output of elections with representative parent-suffrage. Secondly, it is debatable whether certain necessities of a parent-suffrage would conform to central principles of electoral law like generality, equality, and strict personality. Thirdly, when comparing relevant political orientations of parents and childless people it becomes apparent that there are no strong signs that parents of under-aged children act with more political responsibility and that they actually really vote differently. All in all, justice and equality appear as mutually dependent basic principles of democratic franchise.