Liechtenstein parliament backs abortion legalization initiative

Liechtenstein's parliament narrowly approved a citizen initiative on Wednesday to legalize abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, though Hereditary Prince Alois has stated his opposition and holds veto power. The initiative passed with 13 of 25 votes in the Landtag. Abortion is currently illegal in Liechtenstein except in cases like rape or danger to the mother's life, with penalties of up to one year in prison for women and three years for practitioners. The initiative, backed by 4,970 signatures, was supported by Tatjana As'Ad of the left-wing Freie Liste party. A referendum motion was rejected, and voters previously opposed abortion legalization in a 2011 referendum.