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The Russian Orthodox Church called the initiative to introduce a tax on childlessness a provocation
On October 4, Deputy Director Gurulev proposed to return the childlessness tax, citing the Soviet experience. State Duma Chairman Volodin warned him against hasty plans. The Russian Orthodox Church also did not support this statement and called it a provocation.
The plan to introduce a tax on childlessness in Russia is a provocation aimed at preventing the adoption of a law banning the propaganda of childlessness, Chairman of the Patriarchal Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church on Family, Motherhood and Protection of Fathers Fyodor Lukyanov said in an interview with RIA Novosti. . .
"Recently, absurd and provocative bills have begun to appear in public places, such as the introduction of a tax on childlessness. In my opinion, the negative attitude is being set in order to support the traditional family, limit destructive ideologies and, in particular, prevent the adoption of laws prohibiting free propaganda for children," the priest said.
At the same time, he pointed out that the ban on propaganda of hatred towards children, that is, propaganda of the superiority of a childless lifestyle, will improve the health of Russian society and protect our youth from such methods of psychological manipulation.
On September 24, the Duma began considering a bill banning free propaganda among children. It is proposed to ban such propaganda on the Internet, in the media, in films, and in advertising. Speaker of the House of Representatives Vyacheslav Volodin reported that the fine could be up to 400,000 rubles. For individuals, up to 800,000 rubles for civil servants, and up to 5 million rubles for corporations. In an interview with RBC, lawyers noted that the provisions of the bill can be interpreted broadly, which also carries risks for ordinary Internet users. Commenting on the plan, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov called for abandoning anything that could reduce the birth rate.
In early October, State Duma deputy and member of the State Defense Committee Andrei Gurulev proposed to return the childlessness tax, citing Soviet experience. In his opinion, the proceeds could be used to modernize an orphanage.
The initiative sparked a broad discussion, and a few days later, the speaker of the State House of Representatives, Vyacheslav Volodin, warned legislators about the erroneous plan in the context of the fight against children's freedom. According to him, a woman's right to have children and not to have children "is not infringed upon by anyone." "We constantly tell our fellow legislators to think before making a proposal. There is no need to frighten society. This is extreme," the speaker said.
In the Soviet Union, the childlessness tax was called the "tax on bachelors, singles, and citizens with small families." It was introduced in November 1941 and was in effect until 1990. It was imposed on childless, unmarried, and married Soviet citizens (men aged 20–50 and women aged 20–45). Taxes were applied at differentiated rates depending on the payer's income. Certain categories of citizens were exempt from the tax, including those who could not have children for health reasons, students, monks, and soldiers.