Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois has vetoed a Bill, which narrowly passed earlier this year, that would have removed legal protections for unborn babies, and permitted abortion on demand, for any reason, up until the end of the third month of pregnancy, instead calling for more support for women and their babies “before, during and after pregnancy”.
The Prince’s calls for further support for women follow years of work that his family have undertaken to support pregnant women and their families through the Sophie von Liechtenstein Foundation, which was founded by the Prince’s wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie von und zu Liechtenstein.
Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein has, under the constitution of Liechtenstein and confirmed by a popular referendum in 2003, the authority to veto such legislation.
Proposed radical abortion on demand Bill
Unborn babies currently have some of the strongest legal protections in Europe under the principality’s law. The law prohibits the provision of abortion except in limited circumstances, including where it is necessary to avert an otherwise unavoidable serious danger to the mother’s life.
Earlier this year, however, an initiative was launched to remove these protections for unborn babies up until the end of the third month of pregnancy and permit doctors to perform abortions under any circumstances within this timeframe.
In England and Wales, 93% of all abortions occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy – and the grounds under which these abortions take place are more restrictive than the proposed abortion on demand provision in Liechtenstein. If the recent abortion initiative had been successful, abortion would have become available on demand, for any reason, in Liechtenstein at the stages of pregnancy when the vast majority of abortions happen in many other countries.
The initiative sought to amend the Criminal Code so that it would no longer be illegal “if the termination of pregnancy is performed by a doctor within the first three months following the beginning of the pregnancy”.
A statement from the Princely House said the Prince “remains convinced that the proposed reform is not compatible with ensuring adequate protection of unborn life”.
“The Hereditary Prince will therefore withhold his sanction from the bill” to introduce abortion.
Hereditary Prince Alois said “I am convinced that many people share the objective of providing the best possible support to women in difficult situations while at the same time protecting unborn life”.
Parliament passed Bill by only one vote
At the beginning of last month, the initiative narrowly passed by just a single vote, with 13 votes in favour of the proposal and 12 opposed. Three of Liechtenstein’s four parliamentary parties were either divided or unanimously opposed to introducing abortion in the principality.
Princess Sophie’s charity for unborn babies and their mothers
Prince Alois’ wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie von und zu Liechtenstein, is the founder of the Sophie von Liechtenstein Foundation, an organisation providing counselling, psychological support and financial aid to pregnant women and families.
The organisation’s website explains “No pregnant woman should be forced into an abortion or find herself in any other difficult situation due to unfavourable circumstances. We will support every pregnant woman who comes to us, even long-term if necessary. We will not leave her alone”.
Her foundation runs three pregnancy counselling centres in Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria, and provides free psychological and social counselling, including support for women facing unplanned pregnancies and financial difficulties. The organisation states that they serve approximately 1,000 clients per year.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “The Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein are clearly royals of principle”,
“Not only has the Prince stepped in to ensure that unborn babies continue to be protected by the current abortion legislation in Liechtenstein, but he has also called for more support for women and their babies before, during and after pregnancy”.
“This is something to which his family have shown a very strong commitment, helping thousands of pregnant women and their babies over the years through the Sophie von Liechtenstein Foundation, which was founded by the Prince’s wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie von und zu Liechtenstein”.
“The Prince and Princess have shown the courage and compassion to put their principles into practice. The Prince has used his constitutional powers to defend unborn babies, while the Princess’s foundation has helped mothers through the difficulties that can make an unexpected pregnancy feel overwhelming”.
“When women discover they are pregnant, they should be met with the practical help and support they need to continue their pregnancy”.
“That help needs to be there after their baby is born, too. Help with everyday costs and the practical demands of caring for a child can make an enormous difference to a mother who is worried about how she will cope”.
“Protecting unborn babies in law and helping their mothers are both essential. The Prince and Princess have set an example that others in public life would do well to follow”.
“The Prince has done his people, their unborn babies and future citizens, a great service”.
