Sweden lowers criminal responsibility age to 14

The Swedish Parliament has approved a law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14 years for serious offenses. The measure, which passed with 281 votes in favor and 66 against, includes provisions for increased maximum sentences for minors, allowing those under 18 to face up to 18 years in prison for grave crimes such as murder, aggravated sexual violence, and weapons offenses.

The legislation aims to combat rising gang violence and drug-related crime, which has plagued the country for over a decade. The minority government, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and supported by the Sweden Democrats, had initially sought to lower the age to 13 but withdrew that proposal due to a lack of parliamentary support and opposition from various institutions, including the police and prison administration.

The new law is set to take effect on September 10, just days before the upcoming legislative elections. Recent polling indicates a narrowing gap between the center-left opposition and the governing parties supported by the far-right.