According to the chairman of the State Duma, Viačeslav Volodin, the legislation is aimed at protecting the teenage generation.
On Tuesday, the Russian State Duma approved the controversial legislation prohibiting the promotion of a childless lifestyle in the final third reading. This is the latest in a series of measures against the so-called “to Western liberal ideas”, reports TASR according to the AFP agency.
Faced with an aging population and a low birth rate, Russia is struggling to reverse a demographic slump — accentuated by the military invasion of Ukraine — that threatens the country’s economic future.
Members of the lower house of the Russian parliament voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would apply to online materials, advertising and films that promote “refusal to bear children”.
The law targets content that promotes a “conscious refusal” to have children. Its creators said it would not be used as a punishment for a “personal choice or lifestyle” but only for the promotion of that lifestyle – although it is unclear how, according to AFP he will distinguish between the two in practice.
Fine for violation
Violation of these rules will result in a fine of up to 400,000 rubles (3,800 euros) for individuals and up to five million rubles (48,000 euros) for legal entities. The law also includes a provision for the deportation of aliens found guilty of violating these restrictions.
According to the chairman of the State Duma, Viačeslav Volodin, the legislation is aimed at “protecting citizens, especially the teenage generation, from information disseminated in the media, which negatively affects the development of their personality”.
The law will allow “new generations of our citizens to grow up oriented to traditional family values,” added Volodin. The legislation will be considered next week by the upper chamber of the Russian parliament – the Federation Council. If approved, it will go to President Vladimir Putin for signature. As AFP reminds, in if approved, it will be added to the already valid laws prohibiting the promotion of LGBTQ relationships and gender changes.
