Sweden Tightens Penal Code and Migration Laws Ahead of Elections

The Swedish parliament has approved sweeping legal reforms to abolish cumulative sentencing limits, jail 14-year-olds, and restrict family reunifications ahead of the September general election.

End of Cumulative Sentencing Limits

A majority of parliamentarians voted to abolish the rule allowing a penalty to be handed down only for the most serious offense when multiple crimes are committed. This reform is scheduled to enter into force in 2029.

Imprisonment for 14-Year-Olds

Beginning September 10, courts will be empowered to sentence 14-year-olds to prison. Initial detention units for juveniles—separated by gender and equipped with educational facilities—have already been established alongside adult prisons.

Tighter Migration Regulations

Parliament also voted to tighten migration regulations on Wednesday, August 12, making family reunification more difficult. The legal residency period required in Sweden before applying to bring a close relative into the country has been extended to two years, alongside stricter financial maintenance requirements.

Controversial Legislative Battle

The final votes of the parliamentary term were contentious, with the preceding debate tied to the ongoing election campaign. Up to the last moment, it remained uncertain whether the three-party center-right governing coalition, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, would secure a majority for its proposals. In June, the government rolled back plans to punish 13-year-olds following criticism from the opposition and hesitation among its own lawmakers.

Opposition Warnings and Election Polls

Opposition parties, including the Social Democrats, Green Party, Left Party, and Centre Party, opposed most of the changes, arguing that further tightening the criminal code would lead to the release of convicts from already overcrowded prisons. Meanwhile, a Demoskop poll published Wednesday for Svenska Dagbladet showed the left-wing and Centre Party bloc leading with 50.6 percent, while the governing center-right coalition and Sweden Democrats stand at 46.9 percent ahead of the September 13 general election.