Election in Austria – Voting from and in Japan
End of September we have national elections of the parliament in Austria. And although I consider many things in Austria quite incompetent and retro-style, I appreciate that I can cast my vote via letter, even while living abroad. Yesterday I received my “Wahlkarte”, an official document I can sign, vote, and send back instead of personally appearing at a voting office.
Voting rights are quite diverse: Within most European countries a resident, even if he is a foreigner, has the right to vote for local elections (city, area). So when I lived in Italy, I could vote in elections regarding Siena or Tuscany. The same happens in Austria with all residents, Austrians or foreigners.
Unfortunately, Japan here is very backward, as so often. Voting right for foreigners? Joke! Foreigners here are work force, and only accepted as working members of the society – and tax paying members of the society. Above that, they have no rights.
Furthermore, considering how alarmingly low the voter turnout is in Japan (last election 52%), paired with an incredible disregard for political matters in the general public, especially the young population, and the increasingly overaged society here, influx of young people could (should?) be considered an asset. Granting voting rights would be a first step.
Voting rights for foreigners in Europe are mostly only for members of the European Union. Or can Turks vote in Vienna/Austria? In Germany they can’t (yet).
Correct, voting for members of the European Community on communal level. That is something I would be happy to have here …
I have to add – immigration in Japan is much more strict then in Europe. Thus, the number of foreigners here is much less. In all of Ishikawa two years ago it was around 10000 at a total population of 1200000, thus less then one percent.
In Vienna we have around 20%, and Vienna was the first one that wanted to give voting right to *all* residents, unfortunately overthrown by the constitutional court.
In Belgium, non-European citizens may vote for the municipal elections and the distict elections (but only Antwerp has districts), which is the same as for EU citizens.
Hi Frans,
that is nice! I think this is the way to go. If you are resident in a place one should also have the right to participate in decisions.