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→Land, People, Economy, and Government of Liechtenstein
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Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy governed under the constitution of 1921 as amended. The hereditary monarch is the head of state and has significant executive power. The head of government is appointed by the monarch, and the cabinet is elected by the legislature. Members of the 25-seat unicameral Parliament or Landtag are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. Liechtenstein uses Swiss currency and is represented abroad through Switzerland. Administratively, Liechtenstein is divided into 11 communes. | Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy governed under the constitution of 1921 as amended. The hereditary monarch is the head of state and has significant executive power. The head of government is appointed by the monarch, and the cabinet is elected by the legislature. Members of the 25-seat unicameral Parliament or Landtag are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. Liechtenstein uses Swiss currency and is represented abroad through Switzerland. Administratively, Liechtenstein is divided into 11 communes. | ||
'''Government and politics''' | |||
Liechtenstein's constitution, adopted in October 1921, established in Liechtenstein a constitutional monarchy ruled by the reigning prince of the House of Liechtenstein. It also established a parliamentary system, although the reigning prince retained substantial political authority. A referendum in 2003 showed that nearly two-thirds of Liechtenstein's electorate backed a revised constitution. | |||
The reigning prince of the House of Liechtenstein is the head of state and, as such, represents Liechtenstein in its international relations (although Switzerland has taken responsibility for much of Liechtenstein's diplomatic relations). The prince may veto laws adopted by the parliament, can call referendums, propose new legislation, and dissolve the parliament, although dissolution of parliament may be subjected to a referendum. | |||
Executive authority is vested in a collegial government comprising the prime minister (head of government) and four government ministers. The prime minister and the other ministers are proposed by the parliament and appointed by the prince. The constitution stipulates that at least two members of the government be chosen from each of the two regions. | |||
Legislative authority is vested in the unicameral "Landtag" (parliament) made up of 25 members elected for maximum four-year terms according to a proportional representation formula. Fifteen members are elected from the "Oberland" (Upper Country or region) and 10 members are elected from the "Unterland" (Lower Country or region). Parties must receive at least eight percent of the national vote to win seats in the parliament. The parliament proposes and approves a government, which is formally appointed by the prince. The parliament may also pass votes of no confidence against the entire government or against individual members. Additionally, the parliament elects from among its members a "Landesausschuss" (National Committee) made up of the president of the parliament and four additional members, to supervise parliament. Suffrage is universal to all aged 18 years and over. | |||
From 1938 to 1997, Liechtenstein had a coalition government. Until a few years ago there were only two parties in Parliament, the Fatherland Union and the Progressive Citizens' Party. The Fatherland Union took sole responsibility for the government during the 1997 to 2001 parliament. Since 2001 it has been the Progressive Citizen's Party. | |||
Judicial authority is vested in the Regional Court at Vaduz, the Princely High Court of Appeal at Vaduz, the Princely Supreme Court, the Administrative Court, and the State Court. The State Court rules on the conformity of laws with the constitution. The State Court has five members elected by the parliament. Civil and penal codes are based on civil law system. Liechtenstein accepts compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction with reservations. | |||
The principality of Liechtenstein is divided into 11 municipalities called gemeinden (singular gemeinde). The gemeinden mostly consist only of a single town. Five of them fall within the electoral district Unterland (the lower county), and the remainder within Oberland (the upper county). Defense is the responsibility of Switzerland. | |||
==History of Liechtenstein== | ==History of Liechtenstein== | ||