Brazil's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced support Thursday for lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 for "heinous" crimes, reversing a longstanding policy position ahead of a presidential runoff election.
Lula announced the shift during a TV Globo interview, according to The Guardian. The change represents a reversal of his prior stance on the issue, which had remained consistent throughout his political career.
The timing coincides with a tight electoral race. A presidential runoff is scheduled for just over a week after the announcement, with Lula facing far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro. According to The Guardian's reporting, Bolsonaro holds a slight polling lead following the first round.
The Guardian characterizes the policy reversal as "widely seen as a desperate electoral gambit." The outlet notes that Bolsonaro's position and polling strength put Lula in "an uphill battle" to overturn the first-round result.
Lowering the age of criminal responsibility is a contentious issue in Brazil. The current threshold of 18 has been law in the country, and the shift would allow juveniles as young as 16 to face adult criminal proceedings for serious offenses. The nature of crimes classified as "heinous" under Lula's proposal remains unspecified in the available reporting.
The announcement reflects broader campaign dynamics in Brazilian politics, where public safety and crime remain voter concerns. The proximity of the runoff and the policy shift suggest both campaigns view criminal justice messaging as electorally consequential.