Liechtenstein parliament backs abortion legalization initiative

Liechtenstein's parliament voted Wednesday by the narrowest possible margin to approve a citizen initiative legalizing abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, though Hereditary Prince Alois, who holds a veto right, has already declared his opposition. The initiative, backed by 4,970 signatures—nearly five times the legal minimum—was approved by 13 votes out of 25 members present in the Landtag. Abortion is currently banned in the principality except in cases such as danger to the mother's life or rape, with violators facing up to one year in prison. A motion to hold a referendum on the measure was rejected by 13 votes to 12, despite a 2011 referendum where 52% of voters opposed legalization. The initiative was led by Tatjana As'Ad of the left-wing Freie Liste party in the predominantly Catholic principality of about 41,000 residents.