Liechtenstein Prince Alois vetoes parliamentary abortion reform

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Vaduz on Saturday to demonstrate against Hereditary Prince Alois's decision to veto a parliamentary bill aimed at legalizing abortion under specific time limits.

The legislation, which had been passed by the Landtag on September 2, would have permitted abortions during the first three months of pregnancy. Prince Alois exercised his veto on October 20, stating that the proposed system “does not ensure the adequate protection of the fundamental right to life associated with the unborn.”

Abortion remains largely prohibited in Liechtenstein, with exceptions only for cases involving the life of the mother or sexual assault. Current laws carry penalties of up to three years in prison for performing an abortion and up to one year for mothers who undergo the procedure without assistance. The law also prohibits the public “promotion” of abortion services.

The initiative, led by the committee ‘Fristenlösung für Liechtenstein’, collected nearly 5,000 signatures—approximately one-quarter of the eligible voters—before the parliamentary vote. Protesters marched from Peter-Kaiser-Platz to Vaduz Castle to express dissatisfaction with the Prince's decision and to demand respect for the democratic process.