Liechtenstein rejects call to remove prince's veto

Voters in tiny Liechtenstein have soundly rejected a call to take away the ruling prince's power to veto referendum results.

Government figures showed 76.1 percent of voters, or 11,629 people, rejected the initiative titled "Yes — So that your vote counts" in a referendum Sunday. Turnout was 82.9 percent.

Hereditary Prince Alois threatened to use his veto last September to block a plan to legalize abortion, but a majority voted against the change. The royal family could have vetoed having its power of veto voted down.

Alois rules the Alpine principality wedged between Switzerland and Austria. His father, Hans-Adam II — who remains head of state but has passed most of his sweeping powers to Alois — said the royal family greeted Sunday's result with "joy and gratitude." (nvn)