Liechtenstein: the prince vetoes the reform to legalise abortion
Crown Prince Alois has vetoed the bill passed by Parliament which would have decriminalised abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is the first time the monarch has exercised his right of veto during his reign
The Crown Prince of Liechtenstein, Alois, has vetoed a bill that would have liberalised voluntary termination of pregnancy in the principality, bringing the law into line with that of most European countries. This is the first time Alois has exercised this power during his reign. The Guardian reports this.
The measure had been approved by Parliament last month, following the launch of a citizens’ initiative that had gathered over 4,970 signatures – around a quarter of the country’s electorate, according to the British newspaper. This figure far exceeded the 1,000 signatures required to bring the proposal before Parliament.
The reform provided for the decriminalisation of abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, coverage of the procedure by health insurance, and the abolition of the national ban on disseminating information about access to abortion.
The veto represents a setback for campaigners calling for changes to one of Europe’s most restrictive laws on the matter. In Liechtenstein, abortion is in fact permitted only in limited circumstances, such as when the woman’s life is at risk or when the pregnancy is the result of rape. Since 2015, however, women have been able to travel abroad legally to terminate a pregnancy.
The Royal Household confirmed this week the Prince’s decision not to give his assent to the bill. In a statement, Alois explained that he had come to the conclusion, ‘after careful consideration’, that the reform was not compatible with ‘ensuring adequate protection for unborn life, understood as a fundamental legal value’.
