Liechtenstein royals rejects plan to remove veto

GENEVA — Liechtenstein's royal family has indicated it would veto the results of any referendum that removed the prince's power to veto the results of referendums.

Pro-democracy campaigners in the tiny Alpine principality announced this week that they will seek signatures for a referendum on whether to remove the power of veto.

The royal family said in a statement on its website late Thursday that it was "astonished" by the move.

It says it already rejected a similar proposal in 2003.

Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein last threatend to use his veto in September to block a plan to legalize abortion.

In the end his veto wasn't required as a majority of Liechtensteiners voted against the law change.