The Vote He Never Thought He’d Cast
Nikos was 62 when he voted in his first global referendum.
He had seen governments rise and fall, promises made and broken, borders shift and close again. He never believed in “global anything.” Too distant. Too naïve.
But this vote was different.
Not about politicians. Not about parties. Not about left or right.
It was about ending citizenship as a gatekeeper. A vote to recognize planetary belonging as a right — not a reward.
He hovered over the option. His daughter, 19, had already voted “Yes.” She called him that morning:
“Baba, if not now, when?”
He stared at the screen. And finally… He tapped “Yes.”
No flags. No fanfare. Just a moment he never imagined possible.
In 2050, belief changes quietly — and sometimes, it starts at home.