The Principality of Liechtenstein combines a powerful monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The prince has an influential political role, which was enhanced by a constitutional referendum in 2003. Human rights and civil liberties are generally respected in the country.

• In February, a large majority of voters rejected a constitutional initiative that would have allowed citizens to directly elect members of the government. The initiative had been prepared by the opposition Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL) party.
• The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), in a compliance report published in March, found that Liechtenstein had made progress in implementing its recommendations. It noted the adoption of a code of conduct for parliament members that took effect in 2023, but called for further improvements, including rules on the declaration of assets, income, and liabilities for lawmakers and their family members.
• In May, the parliament approved a law that legalized same-sex marriage. The law received the prince’s assent in July, and it was set to enter into force in January 2025.
• In an October referendum, voters endorsed a DpL initiative to terminate state funding for Radio Liechtenstein, which would force the public broadcaster to privatize or close; its fate remained unclear at year’s end. The governing parties had opposed the termination. In addition to its sole radio station, Liechtenstein had just one television station, owned by an Austrian company, and one daily newspaper as of 2024.

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For additional background information, see last year’s full report.