The Government and Political System in Liechtenstein

The government of Liechtenstein is hereditary Constitutional Monarchy. It is based on a Constitution approved on October 5, 1921, and is run through the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches and assisted by 11 administrative divisions for local government administration. The Executive Branch has the Prince as chief of state in the person of Prince Hans Adam, who assumed executive powers on August 26, 1984, and acceded to the throne on November 13, 1989; Prince Alois, son of Prince Hans Adam, who was appointed permanent representative of Prince Adam on August 15, 2004; the Prime Minister, who is head of government; and a Cabinet of five members elected by Parliament and approved by the Prince.

The Legislative Branch is the unicameral Landtag or Parliament consisting of 25 members elected by popular vote for 4-year terms. The Judicial Branch is composed of the Supreme Court, Superior Court, District Court, Constitutional Court, the Administrative Court of Appeal whose judges are nominated by the Prince, and the State Court with five members elected by Parliament, which is tasked to rule on the constitutionality of any law passed by Parliament.

The Landdesausshuss or National Committee, which also helps run the affairs of government, is composed of the president of Parliament and four members performing parliamentary oversight functions. The political parties, on the other hand, are considered moving forces in relation to the composition of the government, and act as fiscalizer of government in parliamentary commissions.