Liechtenstein's Prince Alois vetoes bill to legalize abortion in first 12 weeks

Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois vetoed a bill on October 20 that would have legalized abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to POLITICO. The veto blocked a citizens' initiative that had passed parliament and would have changed access to abortion in the principality.

The Fristenlösung initiative gathered almost 5,000 signatures, roughly a quarter of Liechtenstein's registered voters, POLITICO reported. Its proposal also sought to lift a ban on providing information about abortion. Parliament sent the bill to Alois for assent after passing it.

Why Prince Alois vetoed the abortion bill

Tatjana As'Ad, a campaigner for the initiative and co-managing director of the opposition Free List party, told POLITICO that campaigners were disappointed but unsurprised. She said they had believed since June that his decision was fixed. Campaigners met Alois on the morning of the veto, she said, without an indication that he would announce it shortly afterward.

What Liechtenstein's abortion law allows

Performing an abortion in Liechtenstein is generally illegal, with limited exceptions for a serious risk to the pregnant woman's health or a pregnancy resulting from sexual assault, POLITICO reported. The government's overview of the law says a 2015 change to the Criminal Code made an abortion performed by a doctor non-punishable for the woman. That distinction does not make the proposed 12-week legalization part of current law.

Women seeking abortions usually travel to clinics in neighboring Austria or Switzerland, according to POLITICO. Campaigners told the outlet that travelling abroad adds uncertainty and a financial hurdle. As'Ad said the campaign had secured a government clarification that the restriction on abortion ‘information’ operates as a ban on advertising the practice. With the bill vetoed, the broader legal change the initiative sought has not taken effect.