Swedish Green Party rejects lowering criminal age limit
Sweden's Green Party firmly rejects lowering the criminal age from 15 to 13 for serious crimes. Spokesperson Daniel Helldén calls the proposal 'absurd' and says they won't compromise on imprisoning children. The stance creates conflict with both the government and potential coalition partners.
The Swedish Green Party will not accept lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén made this clear at their party conference in Västerås.
Helldén stated they refuse to compromise on locking children in prisons. He criticized government plans to lower the age from 15 to 13 for serious crimes.
Now the governing coalition wants to detain, prosecute and imprison thirteen-year-olds, Helldén said. Think about what that means. These are middle school children. It is absurd.
About 800 Green Party members in the audience applauded his speech. Helldén argued that prison sentences for young people cement a life of crime.
The Social Democrats, who the Greens want to cooperate with, support temporarily lowering the age to 14 for serious offenses. But the Green Party rejects this proposal too.
Sweden currently has one of Europe's highest ages of criminal responsibility at 15. The debate reflects growing concerns about youth crime in Swedish cities.
Political observers note this creates tension between the Greens and potential government partners. The party appears willing to risk cooperation over this principle.