Prince Albert II of Monaco refused in late March 2026 to give assent to a law that would have liberalised abortion legislation in the principality. The decision prevented the law from entering into force, even though it had been approved almost unanimously by the national parliament.
The Prince justified his decision by referring to Monaco’s constitutional identity, in which the Catholic faith holds a special position, as well as to his conscience. He stated that he could not sign a law that contradicts this tradition.
At the same time, the Prince emphasised that the decision does not reflect indifference towards women in difficult situations, but rather a desire to preserve a balance between the protection of unborn life and the need for human support.
In Monaco, the Prince’s approval remains necessary for a law to enter into force, making the decision unusually significant in contemporary Europe.
Fides