Voters of Liechtenstein reject initiative for more democracy

[ZuWo]

Results

Background information in English

Roughly 75% of the people of Liechtenstein voted no on an initiative which sought to cut the powers of their head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II. The initiative "Damit deine Stimme zählt", which would have made it impossible for the Prince to veto popular initiatives, was soundly defeated. Thus, Prince Hans-Adam II retains his power to veto both parliamentary and popular decisions.

Ironically, even if the voters had approved of this initiative, it would not necessarily have translated into more democratic rights for the people - Prince Hans-Adam II could simply have vetoed the decision.

[Franzl]

Happy to live in a republic.

[ZuWo]

Happy to live in a republic.

The opponents of the initiative seem to have managed to turn this initiative into a fundamental debate on Liechtenstein's monarchy. The monarchy, the most important identity marker of Liechtenstein, is extremely popular, and any political group which tries to attack the royal family or calls for the abolishment of the monarchy remains a fringe movement. Additionally, the fact that the Prince threatened to make use of his veto rights in the past probably discouraged supporters of the initiative - why vote if the head of state vetoes the initiative anyway?

[Silent Hunter]

Results

Background information in English

Roughly 75% of the people of Liechtenstein voted no on an initiative which sought to cut the powers of their head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II. The initiative "Damit deine Stimme zählt", which would have made it impossible for the Prince to veto popular initiatives, was soundly defeated. Thus, Prince Hans-Adam II retains his power to veto both parliamentary and popular decisions.

Ironically, even if the voters had approved of this initiative, it would not necessarily have translated into more democratic rights for the people - Prince Hans-Adam II could simply have vetoed the decision.

Does the Prince actually veto anything?

[minionofmidas]

Announcing their opposition is usually quite enough that they don't have to.

Does Freedom House still rate the place 1/1?

[Donerail]

Announcing their opposition is usually quite enough that they don't have to.

Does Freedom House still rate the place 1/1?

Yep. 1/1.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What an awful people.

[Supersonic]

Well done Liechtenstein.

[Dereich]

Results

Background information in English

Roughly 75% of the people of Liechtenstein voted no on an initiative which sought to cut the powers of their head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II. The initiative "Damit deine Stimme zählt", which would have made it impossible for the Prince to veto popular initiatives, was soundly defeated. Thus, Prince Hans-Adam II retains his power to veto both parliamentary and popular decisions.

Ironically, even if the voters had approved of this initiative, it would not necessarily have translated into more democratic rights for the people - Prince Hans-Adam II could simply have vetoed the decision.

Does the Prince actually veto anything?

Apparently he threatened to veto any move to legalize abortion. I also think I read somewhere that he threatened to abdicate if this initiative was passed.

[minionofmidas]

...and that threat is really "and take my banking empire with me; and while I can't run it the way I run it anywhere else, the poor mountain valley it's based in, and which is profitting quite handsomely from it, will probably go back to starving". It's not as if the family has any sort of biographical (genetic, say) ties to the place - until a century ago they never even visited.

[Silent Hunter]

...and that threat is really "and take my banking empire with me; and while I can't run it the way I run it anywhere else, the poor mountain valley it's based in, and which is profitting quite handsomely from it, will probably go back to starving". It's not as if the family has any sort of biographical (genetic, say) ties to the place - until a century ago they never even visited.

Neither does the current Swedish monarchy for their country - the first guy in their dynasty was a French soldier elected when the old line died out.

[Zioneer]

I don't see anything wrong with this; if the majority is okay with a strong constitutional monarchy, then they can stick with that.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Does Liechtenstein have any purpose in existing? Just let Austria or Switzerland have it.

[politicus]

Does Liechtenstein have any purpose in existing? Just let Austria or Switzerland have it.

They clearly have a separate national identity. So yes.

[Donerail]

Does Liechtenstein have any purpose in existing? Just let Austria or Switzerland have it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_haven#Examples

There you have it. The entire purpose of Liechtenstein for existing.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I think it's time to do something about their weapons of mass destruction.

[Peeperkorn]

Ironically, even if the voters had approved of this initiative, it would not necessarily have translated into more democratic rights for the people - Prince Hans-Adam II could simply have vetoed the decision.

Hilarious.

[ZuWo]

Results

Background information in English

Roughly 75% of the people of Liechtenstein voted no on an initiative which sought to cut the powers of their head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II. The initiative "Damit deine Stimme zählt", which would have made it impossible for the Prince to veto popular initiatives, was soundly defeated. Thus, Prince Hans-Adam II retains his power to veto both parliamentary and popular decisions.

Ironically, even if the voters had approved of this initiative, it would not necessarily have translated into more democratic rights for the people - Prince Hans-Adam II could simply have vetoed the decision.

Does the Prince actually veto anything?

I am not sure whether the Prince has ever used his veto, but he threatened to veto an initiative which attempted to legalize abortion not too long ago. As a result, turnout was very low and the initiative failed narrowly.

[minionofmidas]

...and that threat is really "and take my banking empire with me; and while I can't run it the way I run it anywhere else, the poor mountain valley it's based in, and which is profitting quite handsomely from it, will probably go back to starving". It's not as if the family has any sort of biographical (genetic, say) ties to the place - until a century ago they never even visited.

Neither does the current Swedish monarchy for their country - the first guy in their dynasty was a French soldier elected when the old line died out.

The Swedish monarchy does not make Sweden's laws.