1719 Edad Moderna
Creation of the principality
Emperor Charles VI raises the two lordships into an imperial principality.
Liechtenstein
Principality of Liechtenstein
The last sovereign remnant of the Holy Roman Empire, Liechtenstein is a 160 km² principality integrated into the European internal market.
Herencia
The principality owes its existence to imperial law: the Liechtensteins bought in 1699 and 1712 two lordships held directly from the Emperor, the condition for a seat in the Diet. It is that medieval legal construct which, by accident of history, has survived to this day.
Historia
Created in 1719 by uniting the lordships of Schellenberg and Vaduz, the principality survived the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 by joining the Confederation of the Rhine and then the German Confederation. It is the only state issuing from the Empire to have kept its sovereignty.
After 1918 Liechtenstein broke its ties with Austria and turned to Switzerland: a customs union in 1923, the Swiss franc as currency, shared diplomatic representation.
Post-war industrialisation and an attractive tax regime took the country from an agricultural economy to one of the world's highest GDPs per capita. A member of the EEA since 1995 and of Schengen since 2011, it applies most internal market law without being a Union member.
Hitos
1806 Edad Moderna
Sovereignty acquired
The dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire leaves Liechtenstein fully sovereign.
1923 Época contemporánea
Customs union with Switzerland
The Swiss franc becomes official currency; Bern represents the principality abroad.
1984 Época contemporánea
Women’s suffrage
The last country in Europe to grant it, by a male-only referendum.
1995 Construcción europea
EEA accession
The principality joins the European internal market without entering the Union.
Actualidad relacionada
Todas las noticias →
Instituciones
Nacional
Liechtenstein’s Prince vetoes abortion reform, overruling parliament’s narrow majority
Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois has vetoed a bill to decriminalise abortion during the first 12 weeks despite parliamentary support, citing…
Instituciones
Nacional
Liechtenstein prince’s ‘surreal’ abortion veto dismays campaigners
Alois uses the first veto of his reign to quash parliament-approved bill backed by a national petitionThe hereditary prince of Liechtenstein has used…
Nacional
Liechtenstein prince vetoes abortion bill
The bill was backed by a quarter of registered voters in the Alpine principality, where performing abortions is illegal with limited exceptions.
Debates
Todo el foro →Todavía no hay ningún debate abierto.