The 1992 Liechtenstein constitutional crisis culminated on 28 October 1992 when Hans-Adam II called for a referendum regarding Liechtenstein's accession to the European Economic Area to be held before the corresponding referendum in Switzerland, against the countries' custom union and the wishes of the government and the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein formed a customs union in 1924. [1] According to the 1923 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 in Switzerland 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 independence in foreign policy from 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 both the government and the Landtag. On 28 October 1992, he threatened to dissolve the Landtag and dismiss the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Hans Brunhart, over the dispute, appointing 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 dissolution of the Landtag. Approximately 2,000 people demonstrated in front of the government house in Vaduz. On 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 55.8% of voters. As a result, the 1924 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 was accepted by 55.9% of voters. [9] [10] Liechtenstein subsequently joined the EEA in May the same year. [4]
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 politician and journalist 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.
Mario K. Frick is a lawyer and politican from Liechtenstein who served as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1993 to 2001.
General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 31 January and 2 February 1986. The result was a victory for the Patriotic Union, which won 8 of the 15 seats in the Landtag. The Progressive Citizens' Party won seven seats, whilst the new Free List narrowly failed to cross the 8% electoral threshold and did not obtain representation. The coalition government of the FBP and the VU continued.
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.
General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 4 April 1939. Although a new system of proportional representation had been introduced to pacify voters at a time when the country was under threat from neighbouring Nazi Germany, it was not used and the elections became known as the "silent elections" as no actual vote was held. Instead, the governing Progressive Citizens' Party and opposition Patriotic Union formed a coalition, assigning a roughly equal number of seats each, in order to prevent the German National Movement in Liechtenstein from acquiring any seats in the Landtag.
The Christian-Social People's Party, often shortened to People's Party, was a social liberal political party in Liechtenstein. Founded in 1918, the Christian-Social People's Party and the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) were the first political parties in Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein Homeland Service was a political party in Liechtenstein that advocated corporate statism and the abolition of party politics.
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.
Peter Büchel was a civil servant from Liechtenstein who served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein. He also served numerous government councillor positions.
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.
The 1939 Liechtenstein putsch, also known as the Annexation putsch was an unsuccessful coup d'état by the German National Movement in Liechtenstein on 24 March 1939 designed to provoke Liechtenstein's annexation by Nazi Germany.
The Alfred Hilbe cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 18 March 1970 to 27 March 1974. It was appointed by Franz Joseph II and chaired by Alfred Hilbe.
Foreign relations between the United Kingdom and it's predecessors with Liechtenstein date back to World War I. Both countries established diplomatic relations in May 1992. Since then, the relations between the two countries have been stable.
The military history of Liechtenstein originates back to its predecessors in the County of Vaduz and Lordship of Schellenberg. Liechtenstein disbanded its army in 1868, and has had no standing army since. However, under the constitution of Liechtenstein citizens are still obligated to defend the country in the event of an external threat, and the army may be reformed if deemed necessary.
The Third Hans Brunhart cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 30 April 1986 to 5 June 1989. It was appointed by Hans-Adam on behalf of Franz Joseph II and chaired by Hans Brunhart.
The Fourth Hans Brunhart cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 5 June 1989 to 26 March 1993. It was appointed by Hans-Adam II and was chaired by Hans Brunhart.
The Markus Büchel Brunhart cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 26 March to 15 December 1993. It was appointed by Hans-Adam II and was chaired by Markus Büchel.
The Prince Karl Aloys cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 13 December 1918 to 15 September 1920. It was appointed by Johann II as a compromise government to succeed the Provisional Executive Committee following the November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, and was chaired by Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein.
