Liechtenstein regent opposes abortion legalisation

Liechtenstein's princely house said Thursday that Hereditary Prince Alois opposes a proposal to legalise abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, a day after parliament narrowly backed the citizens' initiative.

The 25-seat Landtag parliament voted 13-12 on Wednesday in Vaduz to accept the initiative, which was led by Tatjana As'Ad of the small left-wing Free List party. Supporters submitted 4,970 signatures, nearly five times the 1,000 required.

Wednesday's vote opened a 30-day period in which campaigners can seek a referendum if 1,000 voters, or three of the country's 11 municipalities, call for one. If no referendum is initiated, parliament would send its decision to Alois for assent, with a six-month timeframe.

A parliamentary official told AFP that if assent is expressly refused or not granted within that period, the law cannot enter into force. The official said proponents could then introduce a new or amended bill.

Abortion is currently illegal in Liechtenstein except in specific circumstances, including when the mother's life is at risk or if the pregnancy resulted from rape. Anyone carrying out an abortion outside the exceptions faces up to three years in prison, while a woman undergoing the procedure could be jailed for up to a year.

The princely house told AFP that Alois opposes a time-limit-based system because he believes it does not sufficiently uphold the protection of life. It said he could envisage further improving the current 2015 rules, including lifting the ban on public advertising for abortions and resolving other uncertainties through clearer rules.

The Free List sought a referendum after winning the parliamentary vote, but that motion was also rejected 13-12.

Voters rejected legalising abortion in a 2011 public vote by 52%. Alois, the eldest son of sovereign Prince Hans Adam II, also indicated then that he would have vetoed the measure.

Liechtenstein is a German-speaking principality between Switzerland and Austria with a population of about 41,000. Roman Catholicism is the state religion.