Russian lawmakers unanimously voted on Tuesday, November 12, for a controversial law banning the promotion of ideology « Childfree » (the choice of life without children). This decision is part of the Kremlin's efforts to address the growing demographic crisis, accentuated by the aging of the population and the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine. The text must still be validated by the upper house of Parliament and signed by Vladimir Putin.
The law targets various types of content — digital, advertising, media — promoting life without children and provides for fines of up to 400,000 rubles for individuals and 5 million for companies, as well as possible expulsion for guilty foreigners. to spread this message. Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the Duma (lower house of Parliament), clarified that the intention is to protect younger generations from influences perceived as far from family values.
New restrictions for international adoptions
At the same time, another law passed prohibits nationals of countries where gender reassignment is permitted from adopting Russian children, tightening restrictions already in force since 2013. This measure aims to limit adoptions to countries that Moscow deems compatible with its principles. traditional.
A position against Western values
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin has intensified its criticism of Western values, seen as « decadent ». The promotion of traditional family models is presented as a response to « moral decline » of the West, while restrictions for LGBTQ+ communities have been tightened, going so far as to declare the LGBT+ movement « extremist » in 2023.
Responding to the decline in birth rates
For several years, Russia has been facing a significant drop in births, with a fertility rate insufficient to ensure population renewal. The Kremlin hopes the new laws will encourage more citizens to prioritize family life, helping to reverse the demographic trend and strengthen society for future generations.
