There has been a written constitution in the Principality

Principality

A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of prince or princess, or by a monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince....

 of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...

 since 5 October 1921. It was granted by Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and established the rule of parliamentary democracy

Democracy

Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...

 mixed with that of constitutional monarchy

Constitutional monarchy

Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...

. It has twelve chapters covering the following:

• 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

Changes of 2003

In a recent referendum in 2003 the Prince received powers such as "The Reigning Prince shall represent the State in all its relations with foreign countries, without prejudice to the requisite participation of the responsible Government", or perhaps more importantly article 9 which states that: "Every law shall require the sanction of the Reigning Prince to attain legal force". As well as this the Prince may in the case of a national emergency "take the necessary measures for the security and welfare of the State".

See also

• 1862 Constitution of Liechtenstein
  1862 Constitution of Liechtenstein
  The 1862 Constitution of Liechtenstein was signed into law by Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein on September 26 at Eisgrub, Moravia. It was heavily influenced by the constitutions of Vorarlberg and Sigmaringen .- References :...
  
  
• Princely Family of Liechtenstein
  Princely Family of Liechtenstein
  The Liechtenstein dynasty, from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by constitutional, hereditary right over the nation of Liechtenstein...
  
  
• Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
  Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
  Hans-Adam II , is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He is the son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek . He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg...
  
  
• Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein
  Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein
  Alois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg is the eldest son of Hans Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Marie Aglaë Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. Alois has been Regent of Liechtenstein since 15 August 2004...
  
  Regent since 2004

External links

• Full text of the constitution