Analysis: Reduction of the age of criminal responsibility makes the opposition challenge the PT

The Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) of the Chamber of Deputies postponed, once again, this Tuesday (9), the vote on the proposal that reduces the age of criminal responsibility in Brazil from 18 to 16 years.

The analysis had previously been interrupted due to a request for review, and the topic once again gained prominence on the national political scene.

At this stage of the legislative process, the CCJ does not analyze the merit of the proposal - that is, whether or not it should be approved -, but rather whether the text is constitutional and admissible.

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Debate resurfaces at a time of commotion and electoral articulation
On CNN 360°, CNN political analyst Pedro Venceslau highlighted that the debate on the age of criminal responsibility has been going on for a long time in the National Congress and usually resurfaces with greater intensity in moments of popular commotion.

"Recently there was the case of the dog Orelha, there in Santa Catarina, the one who was murdered by a group of teenagers, and that also, at that moment, this debate on the issue of the age of criminal responsibility was resumed", said Venceslau.

The discussion, however, takes place at a politically sensitive moment, when pre-candidates for the presidency of the Republic are organizing their government programs and public security is emerging as one of the central themes of the electoral dispute, explains the analyst

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Venceslau pointed out that the advancement of this debate especially benefits Flávio Bolsonaro and the more conservative political field, which has always defended the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility as one of its main banners.

"It's that more hard-line political camp, which makes a more severe speech on the issue of penalties, increasing penalties, especially for heinous crimes", explained the analyst.

On the other hand, the issue represents an uncomfortable terrain for the PT, a party that, since its founding in 1980, has positioned itself against the measure.

PT faces challenge given the popularity of the agenda
According to Venceslau, internal party surveys during election periods indicate that the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility has greater acceptance than rejection among the electorate.

"It's different from the issue of the death penalty, for example, which is already a more pronounced division", compared the analyst.

This scenario makes it even more difficult for the PT to find an intermediate position in the debate without incurring inconsistency with its historical trajectory linked to human rights.

Venceslau also highlighted that Lula has sought to dialogue with more conservative voters and find a solid banner in the area of public security.

The public security PEC, however, remains in Congress without a vote in the Senate.

If the debate progresses through the CCJ and reaches the Chamber plenary on the eve of the recess - a period that coincides with party conventions -, "the PT will end up being on the defensive, because it is not its comfort zone", concluded the analyst.

The texts generated by artificial intelligence on CNN Brasil are made based on video cuts from the newspapers in its programming. All information is investigated and checked by journalists. The final text is also reviewed by the CNN journalism team. Click here to find out more.

Source: CNN