The Prince of Liechtenstein Will Block Proposed Abortion Law

Prince Alois von Liechstenstein will reject the law for abortion in the first trimester himself, in case it is adopted by popular vote.

Vaduz (kath.net) Prince Alois von Liechtenstein will reject the law for abortion in the first trimester himself, in case it is adopted by popular vote. The Prince made this clear as part of his role as Liechtenstein's head of state in a speech at for the national holiday. The present bill under proposal will not come into effect. The proposed law foresees an allowance for early abortion in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, and abortion may be allowed up to the moment of birth in cases where a fetus is handicapped. At present abortion is illegal in the Principality of Liechtenstein where about fifty female citizens of Liechtenstein have abortions abroad every year illegally.

The Liechtenstein National Assembly had defeated the controversial proposal at the end of June, while the plebiscite will follow in September. One of the grounds for the rejection of the bill is that it must be presented to the Prince first who has reservations which are in his words that "it is problematic that the proposal aims to abort children with disabilities". The Prince said: "Till now we were very proud to support children with disabilities in our country."

Link to kath.net original..