A Royal Veto Keeps Abortion Illegal in Monaco

Prince Albert II's decision to reject a popular bill reveals how Catholicism overrides women's rights and public opinion

Diane de Vignemont
December 12, 2025

The news broke quietly, almost casually, on a November morning in the familiar columns of the daily newspaper Monaco-Matin. Between stories on traffic snarls and the ever-impressive celebrations of Monaco’s annual National Day, Prince Albert II of Monaco announced his decision to keep abortion illegal.

“I feel that the current framework respects who we are with regard to the place that the Catholic religion occupies in our country, while ensuring safe and humane support,” the prince said in a statement. His announcement was something of a surprise. Albert II had spent six months deliberating over the long-debated measure that would have legalized abortion in the principality, draft bill no. 267. He had now asked his government “to inform the National Council that its proposed law would not be acted upon.”

Continued: https://newlinesmag.com/essays/a-royal-veto-keeps-abortion-illegal-in-monaco/

Prince Albert of Monaco blocks abortion legalisation in rare constitutional move

The legislation also sought to lower the minimum age for parental consent from 18 to 15 years

By Dorothy Reddin
25/11/2025

Prince Albert of Monaco has exercised his constitutional authority to prevent abortion legislation from becoming law, despite overwhelming parliamentary support.

The 67-year-old sovereign has refused to grant his signature to a bill that secured passage through the National Council by a margin of 19 votes to two.

Continued: https://www.gbnews.com/royal/prince-albert-monaco-blocks-abortion-legalisation

25.11.2025

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anti-choice arrogance

anti-choice cruelty

anti-choice misogyny

Prince Albert of Monaco

Why are so many European microstates against abortion?

In Andorra and Liechtenstein, abortion is still banned. In Monaco, it is illegal to perform an abortion. San Marino is an exception: in 2022 abortion was finally legalised. From the seaside principality of Monaco to the hilly enclave of San Marino, ENTR set out to meet those who fought sometimes insurmountable battles in the smallest of countries to break one of the biggest taboos.

June 12, 2025
By: Renée BERTINI, Jade BRIEND-GUY

“I didn't actually know I was pregnant, because I was on the pill". Under the already scorching May sun, Juliette Rapaire, 30, begins her story with a scenario common to many who choose to have an abortion. "It was the end of 2022, I went to see a gynaecologist for ovarian cysts, and he told me that I was pregnant. I was almost a month pregnant, so it was still within the legal time frame to get an abortion in France."

The young Monegasque woman then decided to contact a French gynaecologist practicing just across Monaco’s borders. On paper, abortion has been decriminalised in the microstate since 2019. People choosing to terminate their pregnancy no longer risk a fine or imprisonment. But doctors and midwives who conduct abortions still risk sanctions: five to ten years in prison and a blanket ban on practicing medicine. This means people from Monaco trying to get an abortion still do so elsewhere, mainly in France.

Continued: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250612-why-are-so-many-european-microstates-against-abortion-monaco-san-marino

Abortion is Decriminalized in Monaco

Abortion is Decriminalized in Monaco

13 November, 2019

On 31 October, the elected representatives of the National Council voted unanimously on a bill decriminalizing abortions which was first introduced in June. However, performing abortions will remain banned in the Principality.

Back on 12 June, during the 1st Spring Public Legislative Session, a piece of legislation decriminalizing abortion was adopted unanimously by the National Council and tabled for almost two months.

Continued: https://www.hellomonaco.com/news/latest-news/abortion-is-decriminalized-in-monaco/

13.11.2019

The Last Places in Europe Where It’s Illegal to Get an Abortion

The Last Places in Europe Where It’s Illegal to Get an Abortion
European microstates are some of the richest countries on the continent, but human rights, including abortion, are curtailed.

by Sarah Souli; illustrated by Cathryn Virginia
Aug 19 2019

Lara hadn’t wanted to see the baby.

It wasn’t supposed to be hers, anyway; when she accidentally got pregnant at 18, she had decided the child would be raised by her aunt while she went off to university. The first few months of the pregnancy were normal: doctor’s visits, ultrasounds, the abrupt abandonment of cigarettes and beer. Then, around five months into her gestation, the pain and bleeding started. At the emergency room, a surprising diagnostic—fatally missed by her primary gynecologist—was announced. The baby was lacking two nerve bundles in its neck. A few days later, a second test with Lara’s gynecologist revealed a diagnosis of Down syndrome. The baby, doctors briskly explained to Lara, would be born “a vegetable.”

Continued: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/43kgn3/the-last-places-in-europe-where-its-illegal-to-get-an-abortion-v26n3

Monaco to decriminalise abortion, but no legalisation

Monaco to decriminalise abortion, but no legalisation

August 5, 2019

Monaco said Monday that it would move in the coming months to stop making abortion a crime for women, but stopped short of full legalisation since doctors would still be prohibited from carrying out the procedure.

Women will still have to seek abortions outside the principality, where Roman Catholicism has long been the official religion, the government said in a statement.

Continued: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-08-monaco-decriminalise-abortion-legalisation.html

05.08.2019