2023-12-02 22:13:43
Early in the morning, the bronze door of the Congress of Deputies opened to receive hundreds of citizens who took advantage of these days to get to know the Lower House up close. It is an entrance that is only opened on special occasions, such as this one, the Open Day. A unique opportunity to visit the Palacio de las Cortes, which takes place every year at the beginning of December to commemorate the day of the Spanish Constitution.
Upon entering Congress, they take a tour of such emblematic rooms as the Hall of Lost Steps or the Hemicycle. Between Friday and Saturday, nearly ten thousand people have stepped foot in those rooms, those carpets of the Royal Tapestry Factory. Attendees of all ages, and yes, many young people too. “It’s the first time I’ve come”, “it’s impressive”, these are some of the first impressions upon entering.
According to the latest study by the Spanish Youth Council (July 2023), the Congress is the institution that generates the most trust among young people. Nearly 50% of those surveyed trust the Lower House. This percentage shows higher support than other institutions such as the Senate or the Crown receive.
To the young people we met, we asked: why have you come to Congress today? And the answers are very similar. “Because I am very interested in parliamentary activity,” “because the decisions made here affect the rest of the population,” explain some of the respondents.
And what do they think about the parliamentary sessions in the Chamber? “The atmosphere is usually tense”, “I don’t think politicians speak in the correct way”, “there should be no insults or lack of respect, because that does not represent us.”
It is that other question, if they feel represented by the political system. According to this CJE study, 60% of young people do not feel represented. “I think that now there is a lot of youth disaffection,” explains a young woman from the seats where the deputies normally sit. “It should be a priority for Congress to listen to what we have to say and contribute to society,” says another.
“Perhaps the problem is not that young people have no interest in politics, but rather that they feel that politics has become disinterested in them,” explains Juan Antonio Báez, vice president of the CJE. Báez also argues that young people “have to be at the center of decision-making.” “You couldn’t do politics for young people without young people,” he concludes.
Electoral participation is another pending task. According to the latest CIS barometers (September, October and November), abstentionism in the last general elections on July 23 was higher among the young people surveyed (18%) than in the rest of the population of other age groups (11% ).
“I did vote but I know young people who didn’t, and it draws a lot of attention,” points out another young woman who has attended this Open Day.
They are young but they are no strangers to politics. And these days, for once a year, like many other citizens, they are the protagonists of the Congress of Deputies.
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