Wiesbaden's Youth Parliament election sees record turnout and fresh faces
Wiesbaden's 2026 Youth Parliament election has wrapped up with a higher voter turnout than in 2024. The digital ballot saw 2,223 young residents cast their votes, an increase from the previous 6.6% participation rate. Three candidates secured top spots, including a returning member and a first-time 16-year-old representative.
The election ran entirely online, with 24,701 eligible voters aged 14 to 22 receiving login details by post. Of the 120 candidates, 18,820 valid votes were counted, while 50 ballots were rejected as invalid. The final turnout reached 8.9%, up from 6.6% in 2024.
Mia Heller, an 18-year-old student from Mosbacher Berg Gymnasium, earned the most votes and will return for a second term. Youness Bouyajdad, 19, also secured re-election with 328 votes. Amélie Beckmann, a 16-year-old Gutenbergschule student, won a seat with 300 votes, marking her first time in the Youth Parliament.
The new group of 31 members includes high school and vocational students, university students, apprentices, and young professionals. Their role involves representing youth interests in discussions with the city council and local boards. Any eligible voter can challenge the election's validity within two weeks of the results being certified.
The 2026 Youth Parliament now has a mix of returning and first-time representatives. Their two-year term will focus on voicing young people's concerns to local authorities. The election's digital format and higher turnout suggest growing engagement among Wiesbaden's youth.
