Brazil's Senate Set for Key Vote on 2026 Public Security PEC Amid Age of Criminal Responsibility Debate

Brazil's Senate is scheduled to vote on the Public Security PEC in two rounds on the same day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, aiming to accelerate its approval. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has approved a special calendar allowing the usual five-day gap between voting rounds to be waived, expediting the process. The legislation focuses on enhancing security measures by improving integration among federal, state, and municipal forces, expanding the Federal Highway Police's roles, imposing tougher penalties on criminal organization leaders, and including victims' rights in the Constitution.

However, a contentious issue persists regarding the age of criminal responsibility. The opposition, led by Senator Rogério Marinho and supported by other senators like Flávio Bolsonaro, has proposed an amendment to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 for all crimes and to 14 for heinous crimes. While the government supports lowering the age, it prefers to address this issue separately to avoid delaying the PEC's approval, which is a priority for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who plans to create a Ministry of Public Security once the PEC is passed.

The government claims to hold sufficient votes to reject the amendment and proceed with the PEC without changes to the age of criminal responsibility. The debate has divided members of the Workers' Party (PT), with some advocating for the amendment reflecting public support, while others maintain the party's historical stance against lowering the age. The right-wing faction insists on moving forward with the vote and maintaining its position on the age reduction.

If approved in both rounds, the PEC will proceed to promulgation, marking a significant step in Brazil's public security policy reform.