Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a 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.
Liechtenstein has recognized same-sex registered partnerships since 1 September 2011 following approval by voters in a referendum.
A constitutional referendum regarding the Prince’s powers was held in Liechtenstein on 14 March 2003. The referendum had two questions: a "Princely Initiative" and a "Constitution Peace Initiative". The first question passed with 64.32% in favour and the second question was rejected by 83.44% of voters.
Five referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1992. The first was held on 15 March on whether referendums should be introduced to approve international treaties, and was approved by 71.4% of voters. The second on 28 June concerned lowering the voting age from 20 to 18, but was rejected by 56.3% of voters. Two were held on 8 November on abolishing the 8% electoral threshold and adding a clause to the constitution banning discrimination, both of which were rejected. The fifth and final referendum on 13 December was on joining the European Economic Area. It was approved by 55.8% of voters, with a voter turnout of 87%.
Alois, Hereditary Prince and Regent of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg, is the eldest son of Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau. The heir apparent to the throne of Liechtenstein, Alois has also been regent of the country since 15 August 2004. He is married to Duchess Sophie in Bavaria.
A constitutional referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 10 May 1981. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending article 46, which covered the number of seats in the Landtag, its membership and the electoral system. The proposal, which had been narrowly rejected in a 1975 referendum, was rejected by 52.9% of voters.
Two referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1947. The first was held on 10 January, on an initiative to reduce the rate of taxation, backdated to 1946, and was approved by 58.7% of voters. The second was held on 15 June concerning the law on power plants, and was approved by 91% of voters.
Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1961. The first was held on 12 March on the creation of a new tax law, and was approved by 66.7% of voters. The second was held on 8 August on an initiative on the law on land surveying, and was approved by 60.9% of voters. The third on 8 December was on an initiative on hunting law, and was approved by 51% of voters.
A double referendum on tax adjustment was held in Liechtenstein on 1 March 1970. Voters were asked whether they approved of a tax adjustment for local government and a counterproposal from the Landtag. The first proposal was approved by 67.6% of voters, whilst the Landtag counterproposal was rejected by 66.8% of voters.
Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1973. The first was held on 11 February on introducing women's suffrage, but was rejected by 55.9% of voters. The second was held on 14 October on changing the electoral system to a candidate-based proportional system one, and was approved by 55.8% of voters. The third on 14 October was on reducing the electoral threshold from 18% to 8%, and was approved by 67.9% of voters.
Two referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1975. The first was held on 2 March on reducing the amount of money distributed to local councils and was rejected by 56.8% of voters. The second was held on 30 November on amending article 46 of the constitution and was rejected by 50.3% of voters, a margin of 22 votes.
A double referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 7 September 1980. Voters were asked whether they approved of the construction of a House of Arts and a national conference centre. The House of Arts was approved by 50.4% of voters, whilst the conference centre was rejected by 52.9% of voters.
Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1988. The first two were held on 24 January and concerned increasing the number of members of the Landtag from 15 to 25 and a plan for company pensions. Both were approved by 51.7% of voters. The third was held on 2 October on the construction of the Gnalp-Steg tunnel and was approved by 55.1% of voters.
Four referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 1989. The first two were held on 19 March and concerned introducing referendums to decide on international treaties and amending the health insurance law. The treaty proposal was rejected by 56.8% of voters, whilst the health insurance law was approved by 59%. The third and fourth were held on 3 December on amending the sections of the constitution regarding the control of the justice administration and minority rights. Both were approved by voters.
Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 2000. The first was held on 27 February on amending the law promoting cheap living, and was rejected by 66.3% of voters. The second was held on 18 June on the law on gaining and losing citizenship of the country, and was approved by 50.1% of voters, a margin of just 15 votes. The third on 24 September concerned an agreement with neighbouring Switzerland on performance related tax on heavy load traffic, and was approved by 71% of voters.
Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 2011. The first on approving the registered partnership law was held between 17 and 19 June, and was approved by 68.8% of voters. The law went into effect on 1 September. The second was held on 18 September on allowing abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Prince Alois had threatened to veto the result of the referendum should it have turned out in favour, but ultimately it was rejected by voters. The third was on building a new national hospital in Vaduz was held on 30 October, and was also rejected.
A constitutional referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 1 July 2012 concerning limiting the extensive veto powers held by the Prince of Liechtenstein. The proposals were rejected by 76% of voters.
The prince regnant of Liechtenstein is the monarch and head of state of Liechtenstein. The Liechtenstein family, after which the sovereign principality was named in 1719, hails from Liechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria, which the family possessed from at least 1140 to the thirteenth century, and from 1807 onward. It is the only remaining European monarchy that practises strict agnatic primogeniture.
A referendum on building an approach road for an industrial zone in Schaan was held in Liechtenstein on 14 March 2010. The proposal was approved by 52% of voters.
A three-part referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 30 August 2020. Voters were asked whether they approve of an initiative proposing changes to the constitution to promote the equal representation of women in political bodies, a parliament law allowing dual citizenship for naturalised citizens, and a decision by the government to fund a railway line expansion. All three proposals were rejected.
