Prince of Liechtenstein Vetoes Bill to Legalize Abortion

Prince of Liechtenstein Vetoes Abortion Decriminalization Bill

Vatican News

In a statement dated 20 October 2026, the Princely House of Liechtenstein announced that Prince Alois will not sanction the bill to legalize abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The decision prevents the bill from taking effect, after it was approved by Parliament on 2 September by a vote of 13 in favor and 12 against.

According to the statement, the Prince is convinced that the proposed reform does not adequately guarantee the protection of unborn life as a fundamental legal value. At the same time, he supports better provision of information, counseling, and assistance for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Liechtenstein is a principality of about 40,000 inhabitants, located between Switzerland and Austria. Under the Constitution, no law can take effect without the sanction of the reigning prince. Since 2004, Prince Alois has been entrusted with the office of Regent by his father, Prince Hans-Adam II. The Prince directly oversees the country's day-to-day affairs and represents the state both domestically and internationally.

The initiative to legalize abortion gathered 4,970 signatures, equivalent to nearly one quarter of eligible voters. The proponents also wanted to repeal the ban on advertising abortion and to have health insurance cover the procedure. When adopting the initiative, Parliament also decided not to submit the issue to a referendum, by the same 13–12 margin.

In Liechtenstein, abortion is currently still a criminal offense, except in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or where there is a serious risk to the life or health of the mother. Since 2015, women who have abortions abroad, usually in Switzerland or Austria, have not been prosecuted.

Prince Alois had announced his intention to veto the bill back in June. In 2011, voters rejected a proposal to legalize abortion in a referendum by a narrow margin.

Before the parliamentary vote, Bishop Benno Elbs, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Vaduz, stated in a declaration on 21 August that the current regulations have proven their value. He emphasized that protecting unborn life must go hand in hand with counseling and practical assistance for parents.

The Catholic Church teaches that human life is особенно protected by God from the moment of conception.

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