Prince Alois vetoed a law allowing abortion during the first trimester in Liechtenstein

Crown Prince Alois, Liechtenstein’s regent, vetoed a law decriminalizing abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy after it was adopted by Parliament in Vaduz. The decision was announced on Friday and represents an extremely rare measure in the small principality.

Current legislation allows termination of pregnancy only in exceptional circumstances, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or when the pregnancy results from rape. Women who induce an abortion themselves can be sentenced to one year in prison, while people who provide assistance risk up to three years. Abortions performed abroad are not punishable.

The princely household said that Alois believes a system based on time limits does not provide sufficient protection for unborn life. The regent has nevertheless supported measures to assist women and the removal of the ban on promoting abortion services.

The committee that backed the reform, with the support of nearly a quarter of voters, criticized the decision and called a demonstration in Vaduz. According to the initiative’s organizers, approximately 45 women undergo abortions in the principality each year, which has around 40,000 inhabitants. In 2011, 52.3% of voters rejected the legalization of abortion.