Liechtenstein Government and Politics

According to AllCityCodes.com, Liechtenstein was, after the Constitution of 1921, a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, but after a referendum and constitutional amendment in 2003, the head of state, the prince, gained power. He can personally appoint the government and judges, as well as dissolve the National Assembly.

Reference: Liechtenstein Flag Meaning

The country day is elected for four years and has 25 members. As in neighboring Switzerland, referendums and popular initiatives play a major role. The women were only granted national voting rights after a referendum in 1984. At municipal level, female voting rights were granted in Vaduz in 1976, but not until 1986 had all municipalities introduced it.

Administration

Administratively, the country is divided into 11 municipalities, all with elected councils. Liechtenstein has been a member of the Customs Union with Switzerland since 1924 (somewhat influenced by the EEA, which is outside Switzerland) and uses the Swiss currency (Swiss franc) and customs and postal administration. Also see AbbreviationFinder for abbreviation of LS and its meanings of Liechtenstein.

Judiciary

The judiciary is divided into civil and criminal courts. Of the first, there is a land court as a court of first instance and a court of law as a second court. Of the others, there is a district court, an assistant court and a criminal court as a court of first instance and a court of law as a second court. On the third court level there is a Supreme Court. In addition, there is an administrative appeal and a state law (for the protection of public law).

History and Politics

The first settlers

The area of ​​today’s miniature state Liechtenstein was already in the 5th millennium BC. Settled by humans. We know that from findings made by archaeologists in this area. In the 8th century BC The Rhaetian tribe lived there and the Celts probably had a certain influence on the development of the region.

In Roman times, the principality belonged to a Roman province called Raetia. As everywhere, the Romans brought their language with them, Latin. This mixed with the language of the locals and the result was the Romansh language.

The County of Vaduz is born

After the Romans had been defeated and the Roman Empire collapsed, the Alemanni immigrated to what is now Liechtenstein – the then Roman province of Raetia. Liechtenstein belonged to the empire of the Frankish king Charlemagne, who at that time still ruled over a large empire that included today’s France and today’s Germany. In the 10th century the region belonged to the Alemannic Duchy. The Counts of Bregenz were the rulers of the area that was divided in 1342. This created a county called Vaduz.

Liechtenstein becomes an independent state

In 1712, Prince Johann Adam bought the County of Vaduz after having acquired the Schellenberg rule in 1699. These counties became the imperial principality in 1721, which bore the name Liechtenstein and became sovereign in 1806. It was one of the founding members of the Rhine Confederation. Liechtenstein was thus an independent state, which was confirmed again at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Liechtenstein was thus part of the German Confederation.

Romansh language

The Romansh languages ​​are a group of languages ​​spoken in Switzerland and Italy. They include Graubünden Romansch, Dolomite Ladin and Friulian. The word “Rhaeto-Romanic” comes from the former Roman province of Raetia.

The 19th century

In the 19th century, many people emigrated because of the great famine. A large part of them were looking for a better life in the USA. From the middle of the 19th century the country was doing a little better, because a change to the constitution in 1862 restricted the prince’s power. A customs treaty was concluded with Austria as early as 1852, a decision that had also initiated an improvement in the situation.

Liechtenstein during and after the First World War

Like Switzerland, Liechtenstein declared itself neutral during the First World War. But as in the rest of Europe, the war had dire effects because the economy was bad and a lot of people became poor because of the war. Liechtenstein broke away from Austria and entered into a customs union with Switzerland in 1923. It is an association of states that form a common customs area. This improved the economic situation and Liechtenstein developed from an agricultural state to an industrial state.

Liechtenstein and its relationship with other countries

The Princes of Liechtenstein have had their seat at Vaduz Castle since 1938. That is still the case today. Liechtenstein remained neutral even during the Second World War.

Liechtenstein has been a member of the UN since 1990 and a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1995.

Liechtenstein maintains good relations with Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein also belongs to the Schengen area. Along with Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, Liechtenstein was the fourth country to join the Schengen Union without belonging to the European Union.

The Constitution

The constitution from 1921 is still the basis of the State of Liechtenstein today. The principality is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic- parliamentary basis. But what does that mean?

In 1921 the country broke away from Austria and turned to Switzerland. At the same time, the prince lost some rights and could no longer rule without restriction. There were independent courts and you could also file a complaint against the administration if you thought you were being treated unfairly.

This constitution was valid until 2013. Added to this were only women’s suffrage and the right to vote in 1984 and equality between men and women in 1992. In 2003 the constitution was amended again. In Liechtenstein, the incumbent prince can – if there are good reasons – dissolve the state parliament and also govern with the help of emergency ordinances. He has a right of veto when deciding on the selection of judges. This means he can appeal against the appointment of a judge.

Parliament

The parliament, i.e. the representative body, is called the Landtag in Liechtenstein. 25 elected representatives sit here and create the laws together with the prince. Should the two sides disagree, a referendum will make the final decision. Incidentally, the full name of the Prince of Liechtenstein is “Prince von und zu Liechtenstein, Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg, ruler of the House of von und zu Liechtenstein”. Did you memorize that It could be that someone asks you.

The Princely House of Liechtenstein

The Princes of Liechtenstein are among the oldest noble families and were mentioned for the first time in 1136 with Hugo von Liechtenstein. The current prince is called Prince Hans-Adam II. He is married to Princess Marie and they have four children. Alois is the Hereditary Prince and he will one day succeed him as Prince of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy. Unlike the Queen of England, for example, the prince not only has representative duties, but can also have a say in politics.

Monetary affairs

When you think of Liechtenstein, you think of postage stamps or a state that covers dubious financial transactions and a monarch who is actually still a monarch because he is allowed to have a say in politics. Is it all prejudice? Maybe, maybe not.

What is a mailbox company?

There are said to be 75,000 letterbox companies in Liechtenstein alone. But what is it actually? A company that sells mailboxes? No, a mailbox company is a company that actually has its headquarters elsewhere. In another country, such as Liechtenstein, for example, there is only one mailbox, i.e. one postal address.

In Europe there are such companies in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. With such companies, the suspicion arises that the point is to not disclose certain income in the country in which the company is actually located. The money flows are anonymous and no longer traceable.