Referenda w Księstwie Liechtensteinu

Abstract

REFERENDA IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEINAfter the end of the First World War, Liechtenstein abandoned its previous ties with Austria and turned – politically and economically – towards its other neighbour, Switzerland. The result of these ties was, among other things, the adoption of certain political solutions, typical of Helvetia and adopted by the Principality in the constitution in 1921. One of these solutions became referenda, used as an instrument of direct democracy. Their reception was successful, and today Liechtenstein is the second European country in terms of numbers (after Switzerland) to use this method of decision-making. Until 1st October 2022, 87 referenda had been held in which citizens answered 114 questions, accepting just over 40 per cent of them. This tool will probably continue to be used in the near future, as it is a solution that is already tried and tested and well -established in the country’s political system. Referendum questions in Liechtenstein mostly concerned constitutional matters, the adoption of specific laws, as well as infrastructure projects requiring approval for certain costs. These issues generally did not differ from referendum questions in other European countries.