Editing Liechtenstein (section)

== Government ==
{{Main|Politics of Liechtenstein}}
[[File:Liechtenstein - Gemeinden mit Exklaven.png|thumb|upright=1.2|left|Administrative divisions of Liechtenstein, showing numerous exclaves]]
[[File:Landtagsgebäude und Regierungsgebäude.jpg|thumb|The centre of government in [[Vaduz]]]]
[[File:Hans-Adam Prince of Liechtenstein (1974) by Erling Mandelmann.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein]], as photographed by [[Erling Mandelmann]] in 1974]]

=== Politics ===
Liechtenstein has a somewhat enigmatic political system, which combines elements of [[absolute monarchy]], [[representative democracy]], and [[direct democracy]]. The [[Monarchy of Liechtenstein|monarch]] retains extensive executive and legislative powers, and plays a strong active role in the day to day politics of the country, and over all three [[branches of government]]{{Emdash}}the only European monarch to have retained such a role. Representative democracy and direct democracy coexist in that an elected parliament enacts [[legislation]], and voters can propose and enact laws and constitutional amendments independently of the legislature.<ref name="Marxer 2007">{{Cite book |last1=Marxer |first1=Wilfried |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-531-90579-2_1 |title=Direct Democracy in Europe |last2=Pállinger |first2=Zoltán Tibor |date=2007 |publisher=VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. |isbn=978-3-531-90579-2 |pages=12–29 |chapter=System contexts and system effects of direct democracy-direct democracy in Liechtenstein and Switzerland compared |doi=10.1007/978-3-531-90579-2_1 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> However, as with laws passed by the legislature, these can be vetoed by the monarch.

The reigning Prince is the head of state and represents Liechtenstein in its international relations (although Switzerland has taken responsibility for much of Liechtenstein's diplomatic relations).<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1066002.stm#leaders "Country profile: Liechtenstein – Leaders"]. BBC News. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.</ref>

The current [[Constitution of Liechtenstein]] was [[Liechtenstein constitutional referendum, 2003|adopted in March 2003]], amending the 1921 constitution, giving the prince extensive veto powers, and the ability to dismiss the government and rule by emergency decree, and maintaining the prince's active role in the legislative process. The [[BBC]] characterizes Liechtenstein post-2003 as "in effect" an "[[absolute monarchy]]".<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2017 |title=Liechtenstein profile - Overview |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17535108 |access-date=2023-09-03}}</ref> Just prior to the referendum, the [[Venice commission]] of the [[Council of Europe]] published a comprehensive report analysing the amendments, opining that they were not compatible with the European standard of democracy.<ref>[http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2002)032-e Opinion on the amendments to the constitution of Liechtenstein proposed by the Princely House of Liechtenstein] Venice Commission</ref>

Legislative authority is vested in the unicameral [[Landtag of Liechtenstein|Landtag]], made up of 25 members elected for maximum four-year terms according to a proportional representation formula. Fifteen members are elected from the [[Oberland (electoral district)|Oberland]] (Upper Country or region) and ten from the [[Unterland (electoral district)|Unterland]] (Lower Country or region).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Principality of Liechtenstein website – Parliamentary elections |url=http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-staat-staat/fl-staat-landtag/fl-staat-landtagswahlen.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040807234454/http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-staat-staat/fl-staat-landtag/fl-staat-landtagswahlen.htm |archive-date=7 August 2004 |access-date=11 January 2010}}. Retrieved 11 January 2010.</ref> Parties must receive at least 8% of the national vote to win seats in parliament, i.e., enough for two seats in the 25-seat legislature. Parliament proposes and approves a government, which the Prince formally appoints. Parliament may also pass votes of no confidence in the entire government or individual members.

The [[government]] comprises the head of government ([[prime minister]]) and four government councillors (ministers), who are appointed by the Prince upon the proposal of parliament and with its concurrence, and reflect the balance of parties in parliament. The constitution stipulates that at least two government members be chosen from each of the two regions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Principality of Liechtenstein – Government |url=http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-staat-staat/fl-staat-regierung.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807124607/http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-staat-staat/fl-staat-regierung.htm |archive-date=7 August 2007 |access-date=11 January 2010}}. Retrieved 11 January 2010.</ref> The members of the government are collectively and individually responsible to parliament; parliament may ask the Prince to remove an individual minister or the entire government, or the Prince may do so unilaterally.

Parliament elects from among its members a "Landesausschuss" (National Committee) made up of the president of the parliament and four additional members. The National Committee is charged with performing functions of parliamentary supervision. Parliament shares the authority to propose new legislation with the Prince, and with the citizenry, as both parliament and the citizenry may initiate referendums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011) Constitution - Constitute |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Liechtenstein_2011 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=www.constituteproject.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[The courts of Liechtenstein|Judicial authority]] is vested in the Regional Court at Vaduz, the Princely High Court of Appeal at Vaduz, the Princely Supreme Court, the Administrative Court, and the State Court. The State Court rules on the conformity of laws with the constitution and has five members elected by parliament.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

=== Human rights ===
{{See also|Human rights in Liechtenstein|LGBT rights in Liechtenstein}}
The principality is largely [[conservative]]. On 1 July 1984, Liechtenstein became the last country in [[Europe]] to grant women the right to vote, following three previous referendums which rejected it in [[1968 Liechtenstein referendums|1968]], [[1971 Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum|1971]] and [[1973 Liechtenstein referendums|1973]]. The [[Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum, 1984|referendum on women's suffrage]] that year, in which only men were allowed to participate, narrowly passed with 51.3% in favour.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/02/world/around-the-world-liechtenstein-women-win-right-to-vote.html "Liechtenstein Women Win Right to Vote"]. ''The New York Times''. 2 July 1984. Retrieved 8 July 2011.</ref>

In 2024, Liechtenstein passed [[Same-sex marriage in Liechtenstein|same-sex marriage]] legislation, which entered into force in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liechtenstein: Parlament berät Vorlage zur Eheöffnung |url=https://mannschaft.com/liechtenstein-parlament-beraet-vorlage-zur-eheoeffnung/ |website=Mannschaft Magazin |date=3 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Ehe für Alle" ab 1. Januar 2025 |url=https://www.radio.li/p/Ehe-fur-Alle-ab-1-Januar-2025-7cXEma5JDNBlMMnKpRGduf |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.radio.li |language=de}}</ref><ref>[https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/landtag-beschliesst-ehe-fuer-alle-art-566058 Vaterland.li: Landtag beschliesst Ehe für alle], May 16, 2024</ref> [[Abortion in Liechtenstein|Abortion]] remains criminalised within Liechtenstein.

=== Foreign relations ===
{{main|Foreign relations of Liechtenstein}}
[[File:Maltese Consulate, Schaan (1Y7A2240).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Maltese consulate in [[Schaan]]]]
[[File:Liechtenstein embassy Vienna Oct. 2006 003.jpg|thumb|upright|Liechtenstein's Embassy in Vienna, Austria]]
[[File:2900 K Street NW.jpg|thumb|Building hosting Liechtenstein's Embassy in Washington, D.C.]]
[[File:Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Vaduz, Liechtenstein on March 20, 2024 between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the United States on the Exchange of Knowledge in the Field of Apprenticeship Training - 15.jpg|thumb|Representatives of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the United States of America make an agreement to share knowledge in the Field of Apprenticeship Training, 2024.]]
In the absence of political or military power, Liechtenstein has sought to preserve its [[sovereignty]] over the past 300 years through membership in legal communities. [[Multilateralism|International cooperation]] and European integration are therefore constants of Liechtenstein's foreign policy, aimed at continuing to safeguard the country's sovereignty as recognized under international law. Decisive for the domestic legitimacy and sustainability of this foreign policy were and are strong direct-democratic and citizen-oriented decision-making mechanisms, which are anchored in Liechtenstein in the Constitution of 1921.

Important historical stages in Liechtenstein's integration and cooperation policy were its accession to the [[Confederation of the Rhine]] in 1806,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lara |first1=María |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xrC9DwAAQBAJ&dq=Liechtenstein+Confederaci%C3%B3n+del+Rin&pg=PT117 |title=Princesas en jeans: Historia, significado y vigencia de la monarquía |last2=Lara |first2=Laura |date=2019-11-12 |publisher=EDAF |isbn=978-84-414-4000-5 |language=es}}</ref> to the German Confederation in 1815,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bas |first=Philippe Le |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fxHmxLlVJ-wC&dq=Liechtenstein+Confederaci%C3%B3n+Alemana+1815&pg=RA7-PA123 |title=Estados de la Confederación Germánica: continuación de la historia general de Alemania |date=1843 |publisher=Imp. del Imparcial |language=es}}</ref> the conclusion of bilateral customs and currency agreements with the [[Habsburg monarchy]] in 1852, and finally the Customs Treaty with Switzerland in 1923, which was followed by a range of other important bilateral treaties.

Post-war economic reconstruction was followed by accession to the Statute of the [[International Court of Justice]] in 1950, Liechtenstein signed the CSCE Helsinki Final Act (today's OSCE) together with 34 other states in 1975, Liechtenstein joined the [[Council of Europe]] in 1978,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Winkler |first=Günther |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LaUGswEACAAJ&q=Liechtenstein+europe+council |title=The Council of Europe: Monitoring Procedures and the Constitutional Autonomy of the Member States, A European law study, based upon documents and commentaries, illustrated by the Council of Europe's actions against the constitutional reform in Liechtenstein |date=2009-09-02 |publisher=Springer Vienna |isbn=978-3-211-10030-1 |language=en}}</ref> and Liechtenstein was admitted to the United Nations (UN) on September 18, 1990.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Duursma |first1=Jorri C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CgVDprXjkIYC&dq=Liechtenstein+United+nations+1990&pg=PA196 |title=Fragmentation and the International Relations of Micro-states: Self-determination and Statehood |last2=Duursma |first2=Jorri Carolina |last3=Crawford |first3=Whewell Professor of International Law and Fellow James |last4=Bell |first4=Professor of Public and Comparative Law and Pro-Vice-Chancellor John |date=1996-10-31 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-56360-4 |language=en}}</ref> In 1991, Liechtenstein joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a full member, and since 1995 Liechtenstein has been a member of the [[European Economic Area]] (EEA) and the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AoMJMOgJyZoC&dq=Liechtenstein+omc&pg=PA31 |title=La nueva agenda del comercio de la OMC |date=2000 |publisher=Universidad del Rosario |isbn=978-958-9203-70-5 |language=es}}</ref>

In 2008, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen/Dublin Agreement together with Switzerland. From an economic and integration policy perspective, relations within the framework of the EEA and the EU occupy a special position in Liechtenstein's foreign policy. The Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein also participates in the annual [[Meeting of the heads of state of German-speaking countries|meetings of the heads of state of the German-speaking countries]] (consisting of EU and non-EU members).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vindobona.org/article/summit-of-german-speaking-heads-of-state-in-linz-2019|title=Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019 |date=5 June 2019 |website=Vienna International News}}</ref>

Relations with Switzerland are particularly extensive because of the close cooperation in many areas; Switzerland performs tasks in some places that would be difficult for the [[Principality]] to handle on its own because of its small size. Since 2000, Switzerland has appointed an ambassador to Liechtenstein, but he resides in Bern. Liechtenstein's consular representation has been mostly handled by Switzerland since the [[Customs]] Treaty with Switzerland of 1923.

Liechtenstein maintains direct diplomatic missions in [[Vienna]], Bern, Berlin, Brussels, Strasbourg, and [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva to the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liechtenstein.li/land-und-leute/staatswesen/aussenpolitik-diplomatie-und-mitgliedschaften/|title="Aussenpolitik, Diplomatie und Mitgliedschaften. Portal des Fürstentums Liechtenstein,". ("Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and Memberships. Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein,".)}}</ref> Currently, diplomatic missions from 78 countries are accredited to Liechtenstein, but mostly reside in Bern. The [[Diplomatic mission|Embassy]] in Brussels coordinates contacts with the European Union, Belgium, and also the [[Holy See]].

For a long time, [[Germany–Liechtenstein relations|diplomatic relations with Germany]] were maintained through a non-resident ambassador; that is, a contact person who was not permanently resident in Germany. Since 2002, however, Liechtenstein has had a permanent [[ambassador]] in Berlin, while the German embassy in Switzerland is also responsible for the Principality. Liechtenstein's Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the contacts to be extremely fruitful and important for the country's development, especially on the economic level.

Conflicts over the handling of [[bank]]ing and tax data have repeatedly strained relations with Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vespierre |first1=Gérard |title=Rule of Law in the Heart of Europe: How Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco have undermined EU values |url=https://thebridgetank.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Vespierre-Report-Final.pdf |website=The Bridge Tank |access-date=15 May 2024}}</ref> On 2 September 2009, Liechtenstein and Germany signed an agreement on cooperation and the exchange of information in tax matters. The text of the agreement followed the OECD model agreement and provides for an exchange of information on tax matters upon request as of the 2010 tax year. In addition, Liechtenstein regards Germany as an important partner in safeguarding its interests in European integration. At the cultural level, project sponsorship plays a particularly important role. For example, the Hilti Foundation financed the exhibition "Egypt's Sunken Treasures" in Berlin, and the state donated 20,000 euros following the fire at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in [[Weimar]].

Liechtenstein is a member of the [[Forum of Small States]], a group founded in 1992 by Singapore currently containing 108 nations that have fewer than ten million inhabitants at the time of joining.<ref name="Trinidad">{{cite web|url=https://mpa.gov.tt/sites/default/files/file_upload/psacourses/SCPTA/Annex.pdf|title=Members of the Forum of Small States (FOSS)|website=Ministry of Public Administration, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago|language=en|date=May 2022|access-date=30 August 2024|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328233154/https://mpa.gov.tt/sites/default/files/file_upload/psacourses/SCPTA/Annex.pdf|url-status=dead}}, accessed= 28 Mar 2024</ref>

Liechtenstein is a member of the [[International Monetary Fund]] since the annual meeting of [[World Bank Group]] in Washington, D.C. on 21 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vogt |first=Desiree |date=19 October 2024 |title=Ab Montag ist Liechtenstein offiziell IWF-Mitglied – Im US-amerikanischen Aussenministerium in Washington wird der Regierungschef das Übereinkommen unterzeichnen |trans-title=As of Monday, Liechtenstein is officially an IMF member – The head of government will sign the agreement at the US State Department in Washington |url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/ab-montag-ist-liechtenstein-offiziell-iwf-mitglied-art-579704 |access-date=19 October 2024 |work=[[Liechtensteiner Vaterland]] |language=de |location=[[Vaduz]], Liechtenstein}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ntow |first=Francis |date=22 October 2024 |title=Liechtenstein becomes 191st IMF member |url=https://gna.org.gh/2024/10/liechtenstein-becomes-191th-imf-member/ |access-date=22 October 2024 |language=en |agency=[[Ghana News Agency]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] United States}}</ref>