The Constitution of the

Principality of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarch ...

(german: Verfassung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein) was

promulgated Promulgation is the formal proclamation or the declaration that a new statutory or administrative law is enacted after its final approval. In some jurisdictions, this additional step is necessary before the law can take effect. After a new law ...

on 5 October 1921, replacing the 1862 constitution. It was granted by

Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein Johann II (Johann Maria Franz Placidus; 5 October 1840 – 11 February 1929), nicknamed the Good (german: Johann II. der Gute), was Prince of Liechtenstein from 12 November 1858 until his death in 1929. His reign of 70 years and 91 days is the th ...

, and established the rule of partial

parliamentary democracy A parliamentary system, or parliamentarian democracy, is a system of democratic governance of a state (or subordinate entity) where the executive derives its democratic legitimacy from its ability to command the support ("confidence") of the ...

mixed with that of

constitutional monarchy A constitutional monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in decision making. Constitutional monarchies dif ...

, as well as providing for referendums on decisions of the

Landtag A Landtag (State Diet) is generally the legislative assembly or parliament of a federated state or other subnational self-governing entity in German-speaking nations. It is usually a unicameral assembly exercising legislative competence in non ...

. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1156 It also abolished the three seats in the Landtag appointed by the

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. T ...

and lowered the voting age from 24 to 21. The country replaced

universal male suffrage Universal manhood suffrage is a form of voting rights in which all adult male citizens within a political system are allowed to vote, regardless of income, property, religion, race, or any other qualification. It is sometimes summarized by the slo ...

with

universal suffrage Universal suffrage (also called universal franchise, general suffrage, and common suffrage of the common man) gives the right to vote to all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender, social status, race, ethnicity, or political stan ...

, following a national referendum in 1984.

Chapters

The constitution has twelve chapters: *Chapter I. The Principality *Chapter II. The Reigning Prince *Chapter III. Responsibilities of the State *Chapter IV. General Rights and Obligations of Liechtenstein Citizens *Chapter V. The Parliament *Chapter VI. The National Committee *Chapter VII. The Government *Chapter VIII. The Courts **A. General Provisions **B. The Ordinary Courts **C. The Administrative Court **D. The Constitutional Court *Chapter IX. Administrative Bodies and Civil Servants *Chapter X. The Municipalities *Chapter XI. Constitutional Amendments and Interpretation *Chapter XII. Final Clauses

Amendments

The constitution has been amended several times, including:Constitution of Liechtenstein
Government of Liechtenstein *1939: Article 49, paragraph 4 inserted (allowing substitutions for Landtag members unable to attend), article 53 amended *1947: Article 48, paragraphs 2 and 3 and Article 64 paragraphs 2 and 4 amended *1958: Article 47, paragraph 1 and Article 59 amended. *1972: Article 16, paragraphs 6 and 7 annulled. Article 17, paragraph 1 amended. *1973: Article 46, paragraph 3 inserted setting the electoral threshold at 8%. Approved by

referendum A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...

. *1982: Article 61 amended *1984: Article 48 paragraphs 2 and 3 and Article 64 paragraphs 2 and 4 amended. *1988: Article 46, paragraph 1 amended to increase number of Landtag members from 15 to 25. Approved by

. *1989: Article 52, paragraph 2 annulled. Article 63b is inserted. *1992: Article 31, paragraph 2 and 3 amended. *1994: Article 46, paragraph 2 amended and corrected. *1997: Article 46, paragraph 4 amended, paragraph 5 inserted, article 47 paragraph 2 annulled. Article 63ter inserted. *2000: Article 29, paragraph 2 on citizenship amended. Approved by

. *2003: Articles 1, 3, 4, 7 (paragraph 2), 10, 11, 13, 13bis, 13ter, 51, 62f, 62g, 63 (paragraphs 1 and 2) all amended. Article 62h inserted. Article 63, paragraph 3 annulled. Approved by

References

External links

Full text of the constitution
{{Authority control Law of Liechtenstein 1921 in law 1921 documents

Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarch ...

1921 in politics 1921 in Liechtenstein October 1921 events