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Sweden lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old

Sweden lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old
Sweden lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old

The Riksdag (German Parliament) on Thursday adopted a measure lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14. The bill passed with 281 votes in favor and 66 against. The Social Democratic opposition supported the reform, which will take effect on September 10.

A vote one month before the legislative elections

This vote comes four weeks before the parliamentary elections. The right-wing government initially announced at the end of January its intention to lower the age limit to 13, before backing down in the face of criticism.

The measure marks a hardening of Swedish criminal policy. The broad parliamentary support demonstrates a consensus beyond traditional political divides on this security issue.

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