Liechtenstein abortion law reform veto

Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein exercised a formal veto to block a proposed law aimed at liberalizing abortion access. The legislation, which had been approved by the Landtag (parliament), sought to permit terminations during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The Princely House stated the veto was issued because the changes would not provide “sufficient protection for unborn life,” citing the protection of the unborn as a fundamental principle of the legal system.

Following the decision, hundreds of protesters gathered in Vaduz to demonstrate against the Prince’s action. Demonstrators marched from Peter-Kaiser-Platz to Vaduz Castle to demand respect for the democratic process. The initiative behind the reform, ‘Fristenlösung für Liechtenstein’, had collected nearly 5,000 signatures—approximately one-quarter of eligible voters—prior to the parliamentary vote.

Under current laws, abortion remains largely prohibited in Liechtenstein, with exceptions only for cases involving the life of the mother or sexual assault. Existing penalties include up to three years in prison for performing an abortion and up to one year for mothers undergoing the procedure.