EXECUTIVE

The monarch is hereditary. Following legislative elections, the head of government is appointed by
the prince and proposed and voted on by the parliament. Thus the government is usually composed
of the members of the majority party. It is, however, also customary that the leader of the largest
minority party in the Diet is appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch. According to
the constitution of Liechtenstein, the government is a collegiate body and consists of the head of
government and four governmental councilors.
Amendment to the constitution or new law have to be adopted by Parliament, signed by both the
Prince and the head of government, and published in the Principality's Law Gazette.
Prince Hans Adam II is the current head of state. His constitutional powers include the power to veto
any legislation, to be used at his discretion, as well as the dissolution of the parliament (this may be
subject to a referendum). He represents the state vis--vis foreign states. He signs international
treaties either in person or delegates this function to a plenipotentiary. Some treaties under
international law only become valid when they have been ratified by Parliament. On the basis of the
names put forward by Parliament, the Prince nominates the government, district and high court
judges, the judges of the Supreme Court, and the presidents and their deputies of the Constitutional
Court and of the Administrative Court of Appeal.[2] The Prince's other authorities include exercising
the right to mitigate and commute punishments that have been imposed with legal force and the
abolition i.e., the dismissal of investigations that have been initiated. All judgments are issued
in the name of the Prince.

Government Building in Vaduz

The Government of Liechtenstein is based on the principle of collegiality; namely, of colleagues

collaborating with each other. The government consists of the head of government and four
Councilors. The members of the government are proposed by the Parliament and are appointed by
the Prince. Only men or women born in Liechtenstein, and who are eligible to be elected to
Parliament, may be elected to the government committee. The two electoral areas of the country, the

highlands and the lowlands, are entitled to at least two members of the government, and their
respective deputies must come from the same area.[3]

LEGISLATIVE Branch
The Prince's involvement in legislation consists in a right to take initiatives in the form of government
bills and in the right to veto parliamentary proposals. The Prince has the power to enact princely
decrees. Emergency princely decrees are possible when the security and welfare of the country is at
stake. A countersignature by the head of government is, nevertheless, required. The Prince has the
right to convene and adjourn parliament and, for serious reasons, to adjourn it for 3 months or to
dissolve it.
The Landtag of Liechtenstein has 25 members, elected for a four-year term by proportional
representation in two multi-seatconstituencies. Until 1989, 15 members represented the population
of the two constituencies (six for the lowland area and nine for the highland area). Since 1989 the
lowland constituency has been entitled to have 10 members and the highland area 15. The
Landtag's main task is to discuss and adopt resolutions on constitutional proposals and draft
government bills. It has the additional duties of giving its assent to important international treaties; of
electing members of the government, judges, and board members of the Principality's institutions;
setting the annual budget and approving taxes and other public charges; and supervising the
administration of the state. The Landtag observes its rights and duties in the course of sessions of
the whole Landtag and through the parliamentary commissions that it elects. All members of the
Landtag exercise their mandates in addition to their normal professions or occupations.
The President of the Landtag and his deputy are both elected at the opening meeting for the current
year. The president convenes the individual meetings during the session, leads them, and represent
the Landtag externally.[4] During the parliamentary recess normally from January to
February/March a "state committee" assumes Parliament's duties, and such a committee must
also be elected in the case of any adjournment or dissolution of Parliament. A "state committee"
consists of the president of Parliament and four other members.[5] The duties and working
procedures of Parliament are laid down in the constitution and in Parliament's standing orders.
Moreover, the people of Liechtenstein have very strong direct democratic rights. At least 1000
citizens can initiate a referendum on any law. Referendums can suspend parliament or change the
constitution, but at least 1500 citizens must vote affirmative, so referendums to suspend parliament
or change the constitution fail if they have low turnout even if the required percentage of total voters
is met.