Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein has announced that he will veto any attempt to introduce abortion in the country. The statement came in connection with a new proposal to permit abortion within a certain week limit that has been sent to the government in 2026.

Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in Europe where abortion remains very strictly regulated. The law permits abortion only in cases where the woman’s life or health is in serious danger and in certain cases of rape. Otherwise, abortion and complicity in abortion are punishable.

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As hereditary prince and regent – in practice head of state – Alois has extensive constitutional powers, including the right of veto over laws and referendums. He threatened to use his veto in 2011 when a referendum on liberalising abortion was rejected by the voters by a narrow margin.

The prince, who is Christian, justifies his position with the fundamental principle that human life is inviolable from conception to death. He has previously stated that he sees it as his duty to protect the weakest in society, including unborn children – even if they have disabilities.

LIECHTENSTEIN 🇱🇮

Catholic Prince Alois has said that he will VETO any efforts to introduce abortion into the country pic.twitter.com/yqS8BZPX4G

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) June 28, 2026

Liechtenstein is a small and prosperous country with around 40,000 inhabitants. Around 73 per cent of the population are Catholics and the Catholic Church supports the prince’s line.

In 2012, after the abortion debate, an attempt was made to limit the prince’s right of veto through a referendum, but an overwhelming majority of 76 per cent voted to allow the prince to retain his powers. His moral and constitutional role is considered a «guarantee» for the country’s value foundation.