We asked young Italians about their relationship with politics

In recent days, the electoral campaign for the administrative elections is getting to the heart of it. It will take place on the first weekend of October in some Italian regions. Throughout this pre-election period, words such as youngsters, future, quality of life have often been heard, but very often have remained statements that have not been followed up. This year there will be 567,538 new 18-year-olds who will be able to vote. The new generations are experiencing the era of sharing, of immediate expression with various means of communication to get information and orient themselves. For this reason, young people can be defined as the generation of values, they have so much knowledge and ways to share them, that they have managed to create their vision, wishing for a change, manifesting in both virtual and non-virtual, protesting against the system that according to them no longer works because it does not speak to them and does not look at their needs.  

While talking with the new generation of voters they have said that are very happy to be part of this election but that they do it only because they have the enthusiasm of the first time. Anna 18 years old says “I honestly have no idea who I will vote for, I am not very informed, I don’t feel connected with any politician.” Often for this reason when it comes to Italian politics, many youngsters remain out of it, because as Olimpia, 22, says "Politics is made for politicians, we do not feel included at 360 °, even if politics should affect everyone completely." Politics is exactly the direction of public life, it is what determines our future but most of the time it is forgotten. For this reason, it is important to participate in political life but it is even more important to understand it, be passionate about it, and be actively involved. The way politicians express themselves is fundamental as Vittoria 19 years old says, "I feel more understood by people who are not part of this environment than the politicians who should represent us, often speaking a language that is too distant and incomprehensible."

Often the lack of interest from the younger generation comes from the fact that they do not find political figures that stimulate and involve them. Pierluca 23 years old says that "it's all a bit of hiding and chasing what is convenient instead of following what you believe in" and continues "the candidate for mayor of Rome, Michetti until a few days ago did not have a well-defined program but he will be voted just because of his party, so it is a poke, and I think this is a bit of a reflection of all how politics works right now." Young people vote, they have their civic duty, but often they go to the polls without knowing much. Federica 19 says that she has very clear ideas, she knows her values and she knows how to follow them but in politics, she can not find anyone who speaks her generations’ language. For this reason, many of her peers are not interested, leaving this world to the grown-ups, even though it is also in the interest of the younger generation to build a sustainable, inclusive future that will improve the quality of life.