Liechtenstein MPs vote to legalise abortion despite threat of veto

Liechtenstein's parliament has narrowly backed a citizens' initiative to legalise abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Key points

• Almost 80% of Liechtenstein's population of regarding 41, 000 residents belong to the Roman Catholic Church which is resisted to abortion.
• When the proposal was rejected by 52% of voters, the country last held a referendum on legalising abortion in 2011.
• The initiative to change the law was led by 28-year-old Tatjana As'Ad of the small left-wing Free List party.
• It was approved by 13 votes to 12 in the 25-seat parliament.
• The current restrictions mean women have to go to other countries – mainly neighbouring Austria and Switzerland – to have an abortion.

Meanwhile, the initiative, led by a group of women, would additionally lift a nationwide ban on providing information concerning abortions and create the procedure eligible for health insurance.

It was approved by 13 votes to 12 in the 25-seat parliament. Nevertheless, it is unlikely to become law as the country's all-powerful ruler, Hereditary Prince Alois, has previously stated he will veto the legislation.

Supporters of the bill say there is widespread backing in Liechtenstein to legalise abortion. Nevertheless, MPs rejected a separate proposal to put the problem to a public vote.

When the proposal was rejected by 52% of voters, the country last held a referendum on legalising abortion in 2011. Hereditary Prince Alois had indicated at the time that he would have resisted the change. Abortion is legal in most EU countries.

In Liechtenstein, it is allowed only in limited circumstances, including when a woman's life is at risk or a pregnancy is the result of rape.

While a woman undergoing the procedure can be jailed for up to a year, anyone who carries out an abortion outside those exceptions can face up to three years in prison.

For context, the current restrictions mean women have to go to other countries – mainly neighbouring Austria and Switzerland – to have an abortion. Since 2015, they have been able to do so without facing a penalty, but the cost is not covered by the health insurance.

In practice, the initiative to change the law was led by 28-year-old Tatjana As'Ad of the small left-wing Free List party. Supporters collected 4, 970 signatures, almost five times over the threshold needed to bring the proposal before parliament.

In practice, the proposed 12-week limit is already applied in numerous European countries. In England, Scotland and Wales, it is legally available up to 23 weeks and six days under most circumstances.

Nevertheless, some lawmakers had argued that there was little point taking the initiative further as of the monarch's opposition.

Meanwhile, the Princely House has remarked its main concern with the initiative is that it does not provide enough protection for unborn life.

Hereditary Prince Alois has, nevertheless, suggested that changes could be produced to the current rules, including lifting restrictions on public information and clarifying existing regulations.

He carries out public duties on behalf of his father, Prince Hans-Adam, and has unusually wide powers for a Western European monarch – including dismissing the administration or individual ministers, appointing judges and proposing changes to the law, along with vetoing legislation.

For now, liechtenstein MPs vote to legalise abortion despite threat of veto remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.