Government withdraws proposal to lower age of criminal responsibility to 13

The Swedish government has withdrawn its proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 after failing to secure enough support within its own coalition, SVT reports.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderates) confirmed that negotiations with Liberal Party members—some of whom had threatened to break ranks—collapsed. Several Liberal MPs, not standing for re-election, had refused to back the original plan.

Strömmer, who personally lobbied the dissenting MPs, acknowledged the setback: “There are a few members in our base who are hesitant.” Despite efforts, including appearances at Liberal Party group meetings, the government could not guarantee passage of the measure.

On Thursday, the government announced it would instead propose lowering the age to 14, a compromise Strömmer described as “the most responsible course to ensure a good outcome.”

Reaction within the Moderates has been critical, with one MP calling the shift “the worst of two bad options.” Some Liberal MPs aligned with the party’s social-liberal wing, however, welcomed the resistance, with one source telling SVT it was “very positive” that members had “finally put their foot down.”

At least one Liberal MP, initially opposed to the 13-year threshold, now supports the revised 14-year proposal.