The map of Europa to find Liechtenstein, One of the smallest countries on the continent. As soon as it occupies 160 square kilometers and its number of inhabitants does not reach 40,000. The political regime of this micro-state is a monarchy of Absolutist profile. The monarch, in this case Prince, has the power to cease the government, dissolve the parliament, veto laws and control the appointment of judges. It is the only European monarch which has under control of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Power. A political scenario of countries of other latitudes. It must be said, however, that if the Almighty Prince Alois von Liechtenstein concentrates so much power is because subjects of the Principality they decided in referendum A few years ago. The country enjoys The highest per capita income in Europe and is the last of the continent that allowed women to vote. He did not do so until 1984, although the succession to the throne is still only masculine.
Based on the valleys and mountains of the Alpes, Liechtenstein He was born like Independent country in 1866 After belonging for decades to the. The little principality makes frontera con Austria y Swissthe latter country with which it shares customs union and currency, the Swiss Franco. Like the Helvetic country is a important financial centertoday more transparent after having been in the blacklist as tax haven.
Los low taxes They make more more companies than inhabitants. The main one banco of the country, the LGTit belongs to the royal family and is managed by Prince Hans Adam II, one of the richest men in the world. Known as ‘His serene highness’Hans gave his son Alois the governance of the Principality in 2004, although he did not abdicate. So it is still the head of state while Alois is the regent prince.
The First Prime Minister
Below them is the Government and Parliament. The Executive consists of five members while the legislative chamber has only 25 deputies. The ones were held last February and for first time In the history of the country a women assumed the position of Prime Minister. Brigitte haas is the leader of Conservative Liberal Party Patriotic Union (UP)political force that decades ago shared power with the Progressive Civic Party (FBP)also right -wing. Things change little in this Central European country that It does not belong to the EU or NATO -it does not have army – and? income in the Him in 1990. There are only A republican party in the country, Libro Freeof null influences.
The princes concentration of the princes was managed in 2003, when it was decided, after serious disputes between the royal family and the Parliament, submit to. In the consultation, the voters had to choose between providing the prince with more powers or of limiting what he already had. Before the plebiscite, Prince Hans, then at the head of the Principality, threatened to leave the country if he did not win at the polls. The Royalty Victory was overwhelming64.3% votes in favor of 35.7% against. “In the future, the prince will be able to click the fingers and say ‘I have lost confidence in you’ and make the government disappear,” said the former minister, Mario Frick, One of the most discharged politicians with the power of royalty.
The monarchy was expressed again eight years later when a law on the. The Catholic Royal Familythe most discreet and unknown European, firmly opposed. He Prince Regent Alois He threatened to veto the law if he went ahead. They won again. A few months later a group of citizens collected enough signatures to celebrate. This time to dispos a monarch of the right to veto the result of referendums. Only 24% of voters were in favor of the proposal.
Struggle with the Czech Republic
For some analysts this loyalty to the monarchy Not only does it respond to the wealth that bathes the country, but also to the fact that The royal family gives direct and indirect work More than 2,000 of its inhabitants, mainly as employees of the LGT bank. A figure not negligible to a country with a small population. There is a popular saying in this Alpine Principality that states that you cannot win an election against the prince.
But to the Familia Real de Liechtenstein It is not enough to be The richest in Europe. For eighty years they have a struggle with the Czech Republic to which complain some territories that were confiscated after World War II for having collaborated with the Nazi regime. It’s about some 2,000 square kilometerstwelve times the dimension of the small state. There are two declared palaces UNESCO Cultural Heritage. The claim is in the hands of. The princes maintain, yes, the Impressive castle They have in Vaduzthe capital, and that is its official residence. Data from Silgo XII, has 130 rooms and one multimillionaire collection of works of art.
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