Key facts
- Hereditary Prince Alois used his veto for the first time to block abortion law reform.
- The veto overrides a parliamentary vote and a citizen initiative signed by nearly a quarter of voters.
Liechtenstein's hereditary prince, Alois, vetoed a bill to liberalize abortion laws, a move that dismayed campaigners. The legislation, approved by parliament after a citizen initiative, would have aligned the principality's strict abortion rules with much of Europe. The prince cited the need to protect unborn life as a fundamental legal value.
The hereditary prince's veto highlights the significant power of the monarchy in Liechtenstein and its impact on fundamental rights, particularly women's reproductive rights. The decision directly affects the legal status of abortion in the principality and underscores ongoing debates about democratic principles versus monarchical authority.
Liechtenstein's hereditary prince, Alois, has used his veto for the first time to block a bill that would have liberalized the principality's strict abortion laws. The legislation, approved by parliament following a citizen initiative that gathered over 4,970 signatures, aimed to align Liechtenstein's abortion regulations with those in much of Europe. The prince stated his decision was based on ensuring adequate protection of unborn life as a fundamental legal value. Campaigners expressed disappointment, noting that the veto would not prevent abortions but would continue to force women to travel abroad for the procedure, a situation that can involve significant costs and logistical challenges. Liechtenstein's current laws permit abortions only in cases of risk to the woman's life or pregnancy resulting from rape. The principality was the last in Europe to grant women the right to vote in national elections in 1984, and campaigners see the veto as a setback for women's rights.
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