Prince Alois of Liechtenstein vetoes abortion law

Prince Alois, the prince and regent of Liechtenstein, vetoed a law on October 20 that would have legalized abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy. The legislation, proposed by the citizen initiative Fristenlösung, passed the Landtag on September 2 with a 13 to 12 vote.

The Princely House stated that the prince spent several months examining the initiative and holding discussions on the matter. In a public statement, the House said the prince remains convinced that a time-limit regulation does not adequately protect the unborn as a fundamental right.

Under the constitutional framework of Liechtenstein, laws approved by the legislature require the signature of the monarch to take effect. While Prince Hans Adam II is the Head of State, he transferred the authority to sanction laws to Prince Alois in 2004. Abortion remains largely illegal in the principality.