Polygamy for Chechens
The week's news at a glance.
Grozny, Russia
Chechnya could solve its population shortage by legalizing polygamy, the province’s Kremlin-installed leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, said this week. More than a decade of war has killed tens of thousands of Chechen men, mostly Muslims. The only way to restore the population, Kadyrov said, would be to adopt the Islamic system of marriage, in which each man may take up to four wives. Russian ultranationalist legislator Vladimir Zhirinovsky said polygamy was a terrific idea, even for non-Muslims. “We should welcome this initiative and apply it throughout Russia,” Zhirinovsky said, “because we have 10 million single women.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive