Monaco: Prince Albert II blocks further Legalisation of Abortion

Prince Albert II has put a stop to the expansion of abortion in Monaco. In the newspaper Monaco-Matin, he confirmed his veto of the bill.

Abortion in Monaco

Abortion is illegal in Monaco. Since 2019, there have been three exceptions: a life-threatening danger to the mother, rape and severe disabilities in the unborn child. This is contrary to the right to life: no unborn child deserves the death penalty for the brutal crime of its father. Moreover, the other conditions are subject to inflation. For example, Down syndrome is now considered a severe disability that justifies abortion.

“Monaco is Catholic”

Nevertheless, Monaco remains one of the most pro-life countries in Europe. This is partly due to the stance taken by Prince Albert II. The prince rejects the bill that would legalise abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. He says he understands ‘the sensitivity of this issue,’ but that the current law ‘respects our identity and the place that the Catholic religion occupies in our country, while at the same time guaranteeing safe and more humane support.’

King Baudouin did not veto the Bill

The Constitution of Monaco gives the monarch the right to veto bills. When it comes to abortion legislation, European monarchs have unfortunately often failed to exercise that right. The best-known example is Belgium's Baudouin, who, as a devout Catholic and an unwanted childless monarch, was opposed to abortion. In the end, he did not exercise his veto, but abdicated briefly so that the cabinet could quickly legalise abortion.