Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a semi-constitutional monarchy. It has a form of mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. There is a two-party system (though there are two minor parties as well) and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister and head of government is responsible to parliament. However, the Prince of Liechtenstein is head of state and exercises considerable political powers.

The executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Liechtenstein (government). Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Landtag (Parliament). The party system is dominated by the conservative Progressive Citizens' Party and the liberal-conservative Patriotic Union. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The country replaced universal male suffrage with universal suffrage in 1984, following a national referendum.

The current iteration of the Constitution of Liechtenstein was adopted in March 2003, amending the 1921 constitution. The 1921 constitution had established Liechtenstein as a constitutional monarchy headed by the reigning prince of the Princely House of Liechtenstein; a parliamentary system had been established, although the reigning Prince retained substantial political authority.^[1][2][3]

In a national referendum in March 2003, nearly two-thirds of the electorate voted in support of Hans-Adam II's proposed constitutional reform. The proposals were criticised by many, including the Council of Europe, as it expanded the powers of the monarchy (extending monarch's power of veto law, increasing his executive authority, and allowing him to dismiss the government, or any minister, at will). The Prince threatened that if the constitution failed, he would, among other things, convert some princely property for commercial use and move to Austria.^[4] The princely family and the Prince enjoy tremendous public support inside the nation, and the resolution passed with about 64% in favour.^[5] A proposal to revoke the Prince's veto powers was rejected by 76% of voters in a 2012 referendum.^[6]

The monarch of Liechtenstein is hereditary. Following legislative elections, the head of government (German: Regierungschef), or prime minister, are appointed by the sovereign prince of Liechtenstein with the consent of the Landtag and are expected to command the confidence of both the prince and the Landtag. The appointed head of government is typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Landtag or a coalition of parties.^[7] Amendments to the constitution or new laws have to be adopted by the Landtag, signed by both the prince and the prime minister, and published in the Principality's Law Gazette.^[8]

Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein has been the head of state since 1989.^[9] His constitutional powers include the power to veto any legislation, to be used at his discretion, as well as the dissolution of the Landtag, which may become subject to referendum if challenged. He represents the state vis-à-vis foreign states. He signs international treaties either in person or delegates this function to a plenipotentiary. Some treaties under international law become valid only when they have been ratified by the Landtag. On the basis of the names put forward by the Landtag, 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.^[10] 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.^[7]

In August 2004, Prince Hans-Adam handed over the day-to-day running of the country to his son, Prince Alois, while still remaining the official head of state.^[11]

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-seat constituencies. 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.^[14] 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.^[15] 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.^{[citation needed]} If called for by at least 1,000 citizens, a referendum on any law can be initiated. 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.^[16]

The political parties are in practice politically decisive and are the moving forces with regard to the composition of the government. In the 2001-05 legislature period of office, one Councillor and three deputies were women.

From 1938 to 1997 Liechtenstein had a coalition government. Until recently there were only two parties in Parliament: the Patriotic Union and the Progressive Citizens' Party. Liechtenstein's distinctive form of coalition government came to an end in April 1997, when the Patriotic Union won an absolute majority of seats. It took sole responsibility for the government during the 1997 to 2001 Parliament, with its members filling all the positions on the government committee. Between 2001 and 2009, the Progressive Citizen's Party formed the government, winning an absolute majority in the 2001 elections^[17] and the most seats in the 2005 elections.^[18] The Patriotic Union once again won an absolute majority of seats in the February 2009 elections.^[19] Minority parties, as opposition parties, act as a check on the government in Parliament and on parliamentary commissions.

By electoral district

See also: List of members of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (2025–2029)

More information Electoral district, Seats ...

Results by electoral district

Electoral district	Seats	Electorate	Party		Elected members	Subsititutes	Votes	%	Swing	Seats won	+/–
Oberland	15	13,137		Patriotic Union	Manfred Kaufmann Christoph Wenaweser Thomas Vogt Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch Roger Schädler Carmen Heeb-Kindle	Markus Gstöhl Marc Risch	58,725	39.2	2.3	6	0
				Progressive Citizens' Party	Sebastian Gassner Daniel Seger Daniel Salzgeber [de] Bettina Petzold-Mähr	Nadine Vogelsang	38,352	25.6	9.1	4	2
				Democrats for Liechtenstein	Thomas Rehak Marion Kindle-Kühnis Joachim Vogt Martin Seger	Oliver Indra	35,695	23.8	14.2	4	3
				Free List	Manuela Haldner-Schierscher	Benjamin Risch	16,928	11.3	2.4	1	1
Unterland	10	7,247		Patriotic Union	Stefan Öhri Dietmar Hasler Johannes Zimmermann Tanja Cissé	Mario Wohlwend	20,753	36.0	2.3	4	0
				Progressive Citizens' Party	Johannes Kaiser Franziska Hoop Lino Nägele	Helmut Hasler	18,631	32.3	6.6	3	1
				Democrats for Liechtenstein	Erich Hasler Simon Schächle	Brigit Elkuch	12,675	22.0	6.9	2	1
				Free List	Sandra Fausch	Patrick Risch	5,621	9.7	1.0	1	0
Source: Landtagswahlen 2025

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The main part of the Judicial Branch of Liechtenstein is made up of the Supreme Court (German: Oberster Gerichtshof), the Princely Court of Appeals (German: Fürstliches Obergericht, lit. 'Princely Higher Court'), and the Princely Court of Justice (German: Fürstliches Landgericht, lit. 'Princely Land Court').^[23]

In the sphere of administrative law, there is also the Administrative Court, and in the sphere of constitutional law there is the State Court.

Liechtenstein is divided into eleven communes (German: Gemeinden); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, and Vaduz.

Liechtenstein is a member of the following organizations:

• Council of Europe
• EBRD
• U.N. Economic Commission for Europe
• European Free Trade Association
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• International Criminal Court
• ICRM
• IFRCS
• Intelsat, Interpol
• International Olympic Committee
• ITU
• OPCW
• Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe
• PCA
• United Nations
• UNCTAD
• Universal Postal Union, WCL
• World Intellectual Property Organization
• World Trade Organization