Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum, 1984
Encyclopedia
A referendum on the introduction of women's suffrage in national elections was held in Liechtenstein
on 1 July 1984. Following the introduction of female suffrage in neighbouring Switzerland
after a referendum in 1971, Liechtenstein had been the only remaining European country to deny women the right to vote. Referendums had been held in 1968
, 1971
and 1973 (the latter two limited to men), but on each occasion voters had rejected its introduction, despite the support of newspapers and both major political parties. Nevertheless, some municipalities had since introduced female suffrage at a local level, starting with Vaduz
in 1976, and women had been elected to the local councils of Vaduz and Gamprin
in 1983.
This referendum was also limited to male voters, and again both main parties had argued for its introduction. This time the referendum produced a vote in favour of the change, although only by the narrow margin of 119 votes, with 2,370 in favour and 2,251 against. Support was greater in Unterland than in Oberland. Voter turnout was 86.19%.
Following the referendum, amendments were made to the constitution
to grant women the right to vote in national elections, although they did not gain the right to vote in local elections in three municipalities until 1986. The first national elections
in which women could vote took place in 1986, and saw one woman elected to the Landtag
on the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) list. In 1993 Cornelia Gassner of the FBP became the country's first female cabinet member.
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 1 July 1984. Following the introduction of female suffrage in neighbouring Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
after a referendum in 1971, Liechtenstein had been the only remaining European country to deny women the right to vote. Referendums had been held in 1968
Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum, 1968
A consultative referendum on the introduction of women's suffrage was held in Liechtenstein in 1968. Separate votes were held for men and women, with the men voting against, and women split almost equally. A formal referendum on the topic was held in 1971 in which only men were allowed to vote. It...
, 1971
Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum, 1971
A referendum on the introduction of women's suffrage was held in Liechtenstein on 28 February 1971. Voting was restricted to men, and resulted in a majority against its introduction...
and 1973 (the latter two limited to men), but on each occasion voters had rejected its introduction, despite the support of newspapers and both major political parties. Nevertheless, some municipalities had since introduced female suffrage at a local level, starting with Vaduz
Vaduz
Vaduz is the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein and the seat of the national parliament. The town, located along the Rhine, has about 5,100 inhabitants , most of whom are Roman Catholic. Its cathedral is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop....
in 1976, and women had been elected to the local councils of Vaduz and Gamprin
Gamprin
-Overview:It contains Bendern which is among the most historic of Liechtenstein's communities. Lower Country men swore allegiance to the Prince in 1699 at Bendern. The community of Bendern also had ecclesiastical relevance going back to in least the fifteenth century. They have a church dedicated...
in 1983.
This referendum was also limited to male voters, and again both main parties had argued for its introduction. This time the referendum produced a vote in favour of the change, although only by the narrow margin of 119 votes, with 2,370 in favour and 2,251 against. Support was greater in Unterland than in Oberland. Voter turnout was 86.19%.
Following the referendum, amendments were made to the constitution
Constitution of Liechtenstein
There 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...
to grant women the right to vote in national elections, although they did not gain the right to vote in local elections in three municipalities until 1986. The first national elections
Liechtenstein parliamentary election, 1986
Parliamentary elections were held in Liechtenstein on 31 January and 2 February 1986. The result was a victory for the Patriotic Union, which won 8 of the 15 seats in the Landtag...
in which women could vote took place in 1986, and saw one woman elected to the Landtag
Landtag of Liechtenstein
The Diet is the parliament or legislature of Liechtenstein. It has 25 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation in two multi-seat constituencies....
on the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) list. In 1993 Cornelia Gassner of the FBP became the country's first female cabinet member.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 2,370 | 51.3 |
| Against | 2,251 | 48.7 |
| Total | 4,621 | 100 |
| Source: New York Times | ||