The Russian authorities are ramping up their anti-abortion campaign using a model of 'repressive federalism': the initiative to restrict access to abortions has been delegated to the regional level, with a quarter of regions already having adopted the relevant legislation. This tactic, previously tested in the prohibition of 'LGBT propaganda' and restrictions on labour migration, allows the authorities to present the measures as 'grassroots initiatives' while deflecting social discontent. The...
