Liechtenstein constitutional referendum, 2003
Encyclopedia
The constitutional referendum regarding the Prince’s powers was a national vote held in Liechtenstein
on 14 March 2003. The referendum
was two part, consisting of a "Princely Initiative" and a "Constitution Peace Initiative". The first question passed with 64.32% of valid votes and the second question failed to pass with 83.44% of valid votes being cast against it.
The ‘Princely Initiative’ asked voters whether or not to approve an extension of the power of the Prince to dismiss the government
, nominate judges and veto legislation
. The ‘Constitution Peace Initiative’ asked voters whether to approve or disapprove of constitutional modifications, including modifications which would have restricted the Prince’s powers. The BBC
stated that the referendum in effect made Liechtenstein into an "absolute monarchy
". However there are certain limitations on the Prince's powers under the constitution. Prince Hans-Adam II had threatened to leave the country and live in exile in Vienna, Austria if the voters had chosen to restrict the Prince’s powers.
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...
on 14 March 2003. The referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
was two part, consisting of a "Princely Initiative" and a "Constitution Peace Initiative". The first question passed with 64.32% of valid votes and the second question failed to pass with 83.44% of valid votes being cast against it.
The ‘Princely Initiative’ asked voters whether or not to approve an extension of the power of the Prince to dismiss the government
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
, nominate judges and veto legislation
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
. The ‘Constitution Peace Initiative’ asked voters whether to approve or disapprove of constitutional modifications, including modifications which would have restricted the Prince’s powers. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
stated that the referendum in effect made Liechtenstein into an "absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
". However there are certain limitations on the Prince's powers under the constitution. Prince Hans-Adam II had threatened to leave the country and live in exile in Vienna, Austria if the voters had chosen to restrict the Prince’s powers.
Constitutional Referendum - Princely Initiative
| Choice | Valid Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 9,412 | 64.32 |
| No | 5,221 | 35.68 |
| Total | 14,633 | 100 |
Constitutional Referendum - Constitution Peace Initiative
| Choice | Valid Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2,427 | 16.56 |
| No | 11,498 | 83.44 |
| Total | 14,459 | 100 |
See also
- Hans-Adam II, Prince of LiechtensteinHans-Adam II, Prince of LiechtensteinHans-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...
- Elections in LiechtensteinElections in LiechtensteinElections in Liechtenstein gives information on election and election results in Liechtenstein.Liechtenstein elects a legislature at the national level...
- Politics of LiechtensteinPolitics of LiechtensteinLiechtenstein 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 multi-party system and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister...
- Prince of Liechtenstein
- Constitution of LiechtensteinConstitution of LiechtensteinThere has been a written constitution in the Principality of Liechtenstein since 5 October 1921. It was granted by Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and established the rule of parliamentary democracy mixed with that of constitutional monarchy. It has twelve chapters covering the...
- Absolute monarchyAbsolute monarchyAbsolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...