Constitution of Liechtenstein explained

Constitution of Liechtenstein should not be confused with Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein.

The Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Verfassung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein) was promulgated on 5 October 1921, replacing the 1862 constitution.

It was granted by Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and established the rule of partial parliamentary democracy mixed with that of constitutional monarchy, as well as providing for referendums on decisions of the Landtag.[1] It also abolished the three seats in the Landtag appointed by the Prince and lowered the voting age from 24 to 21.[2] The country replaced universal male suffrage with universal suffrage, following a national referendum in 1984.

Background

Following the November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, which had greatly undermined the 1862 constitution and in combination with the economic devastation created from World War I, it had created a large and significant basis of support for constitutional revision in the country.[3] [4] Primarily formed around the ideas of Wilhelm Beck, who advocated for the expansion of welfare, broader voting rights and a Liechtensteiner head of government.[5]

This would begin a period of the next three years where both the Progressive Citizens' Party and Christian-Social People's Party worked together in creating a new constitution based on a constitutional monarchy, much of which was loosely based on the Swiss Federal Constitution.[6] [7] The drafting process included prominent politicians such as Wilhelm Beck, Josef Ospelt and Josef Peer. The constitution was signed into law by Prince Karl Aloys on behalf of Johann II and Josef Ospelt as a government representative on 5 October 1921.

Chapters

The constitution has twelve chapters:

Amendments

The constitution has been amended several times, including:[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. [Dieter Nohlen|Nohlen, D]
  2. Nohlen & Stöver, p1158
  3. Web site: Quaderer . Rupert . 31 December 2011 . Novemberputsch 1918 . 3 October 2023 . . de.
  4. Rupert . Quaderer . Der 7. November 1918. Staatsstreich – Putsch – Revolution oder politisches Spektakel im Kleinstaat Liechtenstein? . Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein . 93 . 212–216.
  5. Web site: Leipold-Schneider . Gerda . 31 December 2011 . Beck, Wilhelm . 30 September 2023 . . de.
  6. Web site: Quaderer . Rupert . 31 December 2011 . Schlossabmachungen (Septemberabmachungen, Schloss-Protokoll) . 18 September 2023 . . de.
  7. Web site: Wille . Herbert . 31 December 2011 . Verfassung . 24 December 2023 . . de.
  8. http://www.llv.li/verfassung-e-01-02-09.doc.pdf Constitution of Liechtenstein