Annually, according to statistics compiled by the sociological company MRB Hellas, approximately 100,000 to 108,000 Greek citizens reach the age of 17 and receive the right to vote. Thus, approximately 400,000 to 432,000 people will be eligible to vote for the first time in the upcoming parliamentary elections, of which, according to MRB estimates, between 50% and 55% will eventually make it to the polls. “K” contacted before and after Tempe tragedy with three girls and three boys who live in different parts of the country, asking them what they think, what they care about, what priorities they set, how much they were affected by the accident in Tempe, what are the six people who become voters for the first time in the final ultimately expected. Here’s what they told us.

Georgia Ihtiari

21 years old studies economics at the International University of Greece, TEI Serres, where he is from

Before Tempi, Georgia Ikhtiari had never discussed current affairs with friends. However, she has decided that in the upcoming elections she will vote, and her vote will be determined by issues related to Serra, the economy and justice – “we need a little update in terms of laws,” she said. Now she’s not sure she’ll make it to the ballot box. “I don’t know if I will vote in the end” says “K” “is it possible to find out where my order is and they don’t know where the train is?”. “I was definitely touched by this event,” she says, emphasizing that even the people around her have not yet decided what they will vote for.

Christ Papadimitriou

18 years old, wants to study cinema, lives in Karditsa

Christos Papadimitriou says he did not intend to vote this year. He is taking his national exams again and the preparation has consumed all his time, energy and attention. “Those who didn’t pass last year and are trying to pass this year don’t care about voting,” he told Tempi. But that has changed. “Of course, this event affected me politically. I still don’t know what to vote for.” indicated in “K”, emphasizing that now the issue of elections worries him more than before. “Now we cannot be sure which government is taking its responsibility for the proper functioning of the state seriously or is leaving gaps,” he stresses. The most important criterion for him is not what the party or its leader promises, but what politicians actually do. “I would like there to be responsibility on the part of the political leaders or political groups themselves to do their job properly, because if this sense of responsibility is not transmitted to those who govern, then the citizens themselves cannot receive it.” he finishes.

Mikaela Mavrou

18 years old, student of the 3rd secondary school in Donus.

Michaela is the only student of the 3rd high school on the island of Donussa, on the barren line of the Lesser Cyclades. There are three students in the 2nd Lyceum. There are very few inhabitants on the island. “There is no youth and in winter there is no life on the island”, indicated in “K”. She wants to study nursing and live in the city for at least a few years. “After 18 years,” he emphasizes, “I feel the need to leave.” Of course, she is very concerned about issues related to the barren line, from medical care to communication with the mainland, as well as the issue of tourism development – “everyone is engaged in tourism on the island, in winter no one is engaged in anything else,” he explains, “but also in the economy. “Prices have risen everywhere, wages are not so satisfactory,” he says. He has not yet decided what he will vote for. “Usually at this age, parents help children make a decision, because, in fact, until They haven’t been in politics for years,” he notes. But now the Tempe tragedy has shaken her. “We have to change something,” he says, “the voice of the people must be taken into account.”

Christ Letsios

17 years old, student of the 3rd secondary school, Lagadas, Thessaloniki.

He wants to study business administration and digital management abroad, specifically in Denmark. “Besides university, I know that vocational rehabilitation abroad will be easier, I will find a better job than in Greece,” says “K”. Since he is voting for the first time – “I will definitely vote, I never thought of not voting,” he says – in front of Tempi, he said that he would try to decide with “objective and logical criteria” and compare “based on data such as international indicators and assessments of reliable institutions”, what the current government has done in relation to the previous ones, first in relation to the economy, but also in relation to other policies. “I strongly believe in the values ​​of the European Union, I want to vote for a party that encourages coexistence in the EU. and for Greece to become a more European country,” he says. Issues related to education, diversity, minorities, feminicide, human rights are high on his agenda. Tempi had a strong influence on him. “One of the 57 victims was known to me,” he says. “Of course, this fact undermines the credibility of the government, but it is quite difficult because this is a problem for many years and all previous governments.” He wants to see how the issue develops, what steps the government will take and what other parties will support, so that he can better judge what he will vote for. He does not intend to discuss his voice with his parents. “They try not to influence me at all in order to form their own opinion,” says Christos Letsios. Some of his friends are considering abstaining. Others, however, think the same as him: “We must use this right,” he emphasizes. “Voting is our duty. Our duty is to do our part.”

Michaela Alexandrides

19 years old, originally from Piraeus, studying at the School of Applied Mathematics and Science at NTUA in Athens.

“The accident at Tempe had a big impact on my criteria – in general, I feel disappointed, because of which it is not easy for me to decide who to vote for.” Mikaela Alexandrides declares “K”.. Even before the evening of February 28, she had not settled down, but she was sure that she would not leave the white man. “In general, there is a big disappointment in the campaign promises of the last two governments,” he stresses. “Now, however, to decide, I’m thinking about who I can’t vote for.” Factors that will determine her vote are economic reforms, “because this has plagued my family for years, I need help,” she says, stating that both her parents are retired. He also attaches great importance to initiatives related to education and health, as well as how each side intends to deal with issues of foreign policy and vocational rehabilitation, especially in relation to research funds. She herself believes that “we still have a future for obvious changes”, mainly around the mentality of the world. “There are still people who vote based on whether the candidate is known or what promises he made to them. I consider this vote bogus, it has no value and is one of the reasons why the situation has not improved significantly,” he says. To decide which party to vote for, she will discuss it with her classmates and older friends and acquaintances, but she is not going to vote in the same way as her parents. “Every person has their own opinion.”

Dimitris Musios

18 years old, originally from Volos, studying at the Medical Faculty of the University of Thessaly in Larisa.

Dimitris Musios, who spoke to K before the Tempe tragedy but not after, believes they expect young people to vote if they haven’t received “an hour of the necessary political education” in school. “There is a course that is taught in the 1st Lyceum, but it does not address the burning issues,” says “K”. “To choose a party, one must have basic economic and sociological knowledge,” he adds, “what is capitalism, communism, conservatism.” When asked whether he will vote, he answers: “Yes, of course, we do not discuss this.” “For me, the issues that will determine my vote are, of course, the economic agenda – in a few years I will enter the labor market, economic development in the next four years will give me the opportunity to stay in the country – and social policy. “, he emphasizes. “Empowering the underprivileged, groups that are excluded, the agenda for people with disabilities is quite outdated,” he notes, adding that as a future doctor, he is also very excited about the modernization of public services, in particular health care and education, as well as digitization. “Young people are asking for change, but citizens want prosperity, economic and social,” he emphasizes. “We are a generation that grew up in a crisis, many of us have seen our families struggle, the average young person wants small changes to make their lives easier,” he explains. Unlike others, Mr. Musios says that the parties’ electoral program, whether or not it is carried out, is one of the criteria that determines his vote.

The generation that will now vote is the “generation of pessimism.”

“When we talk about young people, we must remember that they are not a homogenized group,” says Stratos Georgulas “K”., Professor of Sociology at the University of the Aegean and Head of the Laboratory for the Sociology of Youth, Leisure and Sports. There are many factors that differentiate political views, and they are not only related to age, but also to gender, education, place of origin, hopes, social integration, relationship with the church, Mr. Georgulas says.

“Specific factors also determine the participation or non-participation in the society of the new generation, so we expect more active participation from people who have a strong social integration,” he adds. At the same time, people who are not guaranteed a job will be more concerned about this, as well as other “material issues”, which, according to Mr. Georgulas, include social issues, in contrast to young people who are guaranteed well-being. standard of living and care more about their individuality. Mr. Georgulas expects people living in geographically isolated areas to be primarily concerned with issues of professional integration. In particular, this generation, which now has the right to vote for the first time, is the “generation of pessimism,” he adds. “This generation,” emphasizes Mr. Georgulas, “believes that its future is worse than its past.” “Those who see their future as problematic have more political involvement,” says Mr. Georgulas, “even in a negative way.” As for the tragedy in Tempe, he believes that it will influence the voting of people who are now going to the polls for the first time and increase their participation in the elections. “It’s one of those random events where a bottle is opened and something that’s muted comes out.” says “K”given that this release is expected to take young people to their extremes. “There is opposition to the current policy, they combine it with the prospects of economic and cultural life and look for a way out, not knowing what it is,” he adds. And he emphasizes that political time is running out, as a result of which the commentary is based on modern data – which may even have changed in a month and a half.