Liechtenstein prince vetoes abortion bill passed by parliament

Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois vetoed a bill on Tuesday that would have legalized abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The bill, which had passed the principality's parliament, was backed by a citizens' initiative that collected nearly 5,000 signatures, representing about a quarter of the state's registered voters. Performing an abortion is currently illegal in Liechtenstein, with limited exceptions for severe health risks to the mother or cases of sexual assault. Women seeking abortions typically travel to neighboring Austria or Switzerland. The princely house stated the bill was not suitable for adequately protecting unborn life. Prince Alois had previously indicated in June that he would veto the proposal on these grounds. Tatjana As'Ad, a campaigner for the initiative, expressed disappointment, stating that the decision felt fixed since June and that their efforts since then felt decorative. Liechtenstein's political system combines direct democracy with a monarchy where the reigning prince retains extensive executive powers, including an absolute veto right confirmed by a 2012 referendum.