Brazil’s president has abruptly shifted his stance, now backing a reduction in the age of criminal responsibility for serious crimes from 18 to 16—a policy reversal critics label as a last-ditch effort to sway voters ahead of a tightly contested runoff election. The move, announced in a late-night interview, contrasts with his previous position and comes as the incumbent trails in polls against his far-right opponent. Analysts question whether the proposal will resonate with undecided voters or backfire amid broader concerns over youth justice. The decision underscores the high-stakes political maneuvering as the race enters its final stretch.
Lula reverses position on age of responsibility for ‘heinous’ crimes in what many see as a desperate electoral gambitBrazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has announced that he now supports lowering the age of criminal responsibility for “heinous” crimes from 18 to 16, reversing a longstanding policy in what is widely seen as a desperate electoral gambit.The U-turn, which Lula announced during a Thursday night interview with TV Globo, comes with the presidential runoff in just over a week. The incumbent faces an uphill battle to overturn the first-round victory of his opponent, the far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who remains slightly ahead at the polls. Continue reading...
