The 1992 Liechtenstein constitutional crisis was culminated on 28 October 1992 when Hans-Adam II called for a referendum regarding Liechtenstein's accession to the European Economic Area be held before the corresponding referendum in Switzerland, against the countries custom union and the wishes of the government with the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein formed a customs union in 1924. [1] According to the customs agreement, Switzerland represents Liechtenstein where it does not already have representation, and accession to international treaties or organisations that Switzerland is not a member of requires both countries to reach a bilateral agreement. [2]
On 6 December 1992 a referendum was to be held on a federal resolution on the accession to the European Economic Area (EEA). [3] In correspondence with the customs union, a similar referendum was to be held in Liechtenstein at a similar time. [4] Hans-Adam II had previously publicly declared his desires to increase Liechtenstein's independency in foreign policy against Switzerland. [5]
When planning on the date for the Liechtenstein referendum regarding accession to the EEA, prince Hans-Adam II called for it to be held in advance of the corresponding one in Switzerland, against the wishes of the government of Liechtenstein and the Landtag of Liechtenstein. On 28 October 1992, he threatened to dismiss the Landtag and Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Hans Brunhart over the dispute and appoint an acting Prime Minister in his place. [6]
In response, notable politicians in Liechtenstein, including former Prime Minister Gerard Batliner formed the Nonpartisan Committee for Monarchy and Democracy and called for a demonstration against Hans-Adam's threatened dismissal of the Landtag. Approximately 2000 people demonstrated in front of the government house in Vaduz. In the same day, the government and Hans-Adam II negotiated and came to an agreement that scheduled the referendum after the corresponding one in Switzerland, though notably it affirmed that Liechtenstein would commit to agreements with the EEA despite the result in Switzerland. [6]
The 1992 Swiss referendum regarding a federal solution towards the EEA was rejected by voters. [3] On the other hand, the 1992 Liechtenstein referendum on the same topic was accepted by was accepted by 55.8% of voters. As a result, the 1922 customs union treaty was now compromised, and was no longer viable due to conflicting interests regarding accession to the EEA. [7] [8] In 1994, the treaty was revised to allow for greater freedom for Liechtenstein in defining its foreign policy. [5] Another referendum on the topic on 9 April 1995, which was accepted by 55.9% of voters. [9] [10] Liechtenstein subsequently joined the EEA in May the same year. [4]
Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a semi-constitutional monarchy. It has a form of mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. There is a two-party system and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister and head of government is responsible to parliament. However the Prince of Liechtenstein is head of state and exercises considerable political powers.
Political identity came to the territory now occupied by the Principality of Liechtenstein in 814, with the formation of the subcountry of Lower Rhætia. Liechtenstein's borders have remained unchanged since 1434, when the Rhine established the border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss cantons.
Hans Brunhart is a political figure from Liechtenstein who served as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1978 to 1993.
The German National Movement in Liechtenstein was a Nazi party in Liechtenstein that existed between 1938 and 1945.
Liechtensteiner Vaterland is the largest daily newspaper in Liechtenstein. Published by Vaduzer Medienhaus AG, it is the official newspaper of the Patriotic Union party.
Diplomatic and economic relations between Switzerland and Liechtenstein have been close, with Switzerland accepting the role of safeguarding the interests of its smaller neighbour, Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein from its Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Berne and maintains an honorary consulate in Vaduz.
Prince Karl Aloys von Liechtenstein was Imperial and Royal Cavalry Master in Austria-Hungary until 1918 and then the Governor of Liechtenstein from 1918 to 1920.
Franz Josef Hoop was a diplomat and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1945.
Germany–Liechtenstein relations are the diplomatic relations between Germany and Liechtenstein. Both states are members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the European Economic Area.
Alois Ritter was a lawyer and political figure from Liechtenstein who was one of the founders of the Patriotic Union party and served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein in 1954 and again in 1956.
Josef Peer was an Austrian lawyer and politician who served as the Governor of Liechtenstein from 1920 to 1921.
Peter Büchel was a civil servant from Liechtenstein who served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
Wilhelm Beck was an advocate and political figure from Liechtenstein who was one of the founders of the Christian-Social People's Party and served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1922 to 1927.
Emil Beck was a Swiss lawyer, diplomat and professor. He was chargé d'affaires in the Liechtenstein embassy in Bern from 1919 to 1933.
Foreign relations exist between Japan and Liechtenstein. Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1996. Since then, the relations between the two countries have been stable.
The Schädler cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 10 June 1922 to 15 June 1928. It was appointed by Johann II and was chaired by Gustav Schädler.
Emil Batliner was an entrepreneur and political figure from Liechtenstein who served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
The November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, also known as the Beck putsch was a de facto coup d'état by the leaders of the Christian-Social People's Party against the government of Governor of Liechtenstein, Leopold Freiherr von Imhof. The coup forced Imhof's government to resign and established a Provisional Executive Committee in his place until 7 December.
Fritz Walser was a political figure from Liechtenstein who served as President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1919 to 1921.
The 1928 Liechtenstein embezzlement scandal was a scandal involving leading members of the Christian-Social People's Party where it was revealed that they had embezzled funds from the National Bank of Liechtenstein for various speculative transactions. The scandal forced the government of Gustav Schädler to resign and early elections to be called.
