Prince Albert II of Monaco has refused to sign a bill that would legalize abortion in the principality, a rare move for the ruler of Monaco. The proposed legislation aimed to allow for the voluntary termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks, or 16 weeks in cases of rape, and to lower the age of parental consent from 18 to 15. Although the bill received broad support in the National Council, passing with 19 votes to 2, Prince Albert withheld his signature, preventing it from becoming law. He justified his stance in an interview with the newspaper 'Monaco Matin', stating: 'I believe that the current system reflects our identity, takes into account the role of the Catholic religion in our country, and at the same time ensures humanitarian support'. Under Monaco's current law, abortion is illegal but has not been classified as a crime since 2019, and it is only permitted in three cases: rape, a serious threat to the mother's life, or major fetal abnormalities. The government of Monaco stated that the current law 'provides an appropriate response to the suffering of a pregnant woman, who will no longer be prosecuted, but will be listened to and helped, while preserving fundamental values, such as the right to life of the fetus and the principles of the state's official religion'. Prince Albert, a father of four children from three different women, said he fully understands the sensitivity of this issue and the emotions and differing stances it can provoke, referring to legislative reforms introduced in 2009 and 2019. He confirmed that Monaco has already reached 'a balanced framework that respects the constitutional principles and cultural identity of the state, while also taking into account the needs of women facing this difficult situation'. He stressed that his position is in line with the Constitution of Monaco and the central place held by the Catholic religion in the principality, which he considered a key factor in his decision. Prince Albert was not the only one to adopt a similar stance; the ruler of Liechtenstein, Prince Hans-Adam II, had also previously announced his refusal to sign any proposal aimed at legalizing abortion in his country, reflecting a shared trend in some countries with deep-rooted religious affiliations.
