Pro-gov't lawmakers further defend teen suffrage bill

On entering the Senate’s session today, in which the teen suffrage bill was being debated, senators for the Victory Front caucus further defended the bill highlighting the positive effects the possible new law could have on the next election.

The head of the Kirchnerite caucus Agustín Rossi said today that the law “gives a vote of confidence” to young Argentines and to the National Congress, where the debate was officially started today in a public hearing.

The main bill being debated, which is being pushed by the government, if passed into law will enable 16-18 year olds to vote in future presidential elections. The other, will enable foreigners who have been living in the country for more than a year to vote.

“The law projects the enormous vote of confidence in the Argentine State, via the Congress, for young people between the age of 16 and 18,” Rossi said in an interview with a local television station.

In addition to Rossi’s statements, National Senator Aníbal Fernández commented on the teen suffrage bill stating that “in no way was it obligatory,” but “optional” for young people to vote in the next election, should the bill be passed into law.