Freedom in the World 2008 - Liechtenstein

Capital: Vaduz
Population: 40,000

Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free

Overview

In 2007, Liechtenstein was praised for making some progress on cooperation with international financial authorities, but it remained labeled as an uncooperative tax haven. The authorities also began a money laundering investigation aimed at Siemens, the German engineering giant.

Liechtenstein was established as a principality in 1719 and gained its sovereignty in 1806. From 1938 to 1997, it was governed by a coalition of the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) and the Fatherland Union, now the Patriotic Union (VU). Otmar Hasler, the current FBP leader, became prime minister after his party won a majority of seats in Parliament in the February 2001 elections.

In 2000, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) labeled the principality uncooperative on money laundering because of its traditional banking-secrecy laws. Liechtenstein then passed a law ending anonymity for account holders, and it was removed from the list of uncooperative states in June 2001. However, after the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, concerns reemerged that Islamist terrorists could be laundering money in Liechtenstein. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported in September 2003 that the country had made progress in updating its banking regulations, but it expressed concern that understaffing in the government and banks could weaken enforcement.

In a March 2003 referendum, voters approved a constitutional amendment that granted significantly more power to the monarch, Prince Hans-Adam II. He had threatened to leave for Austria if the measure failed to pass. The amendment gives the prince the authority to dismiss the government, veto legislation, and appoint judges. However, it removes his right to rule by emergency decree. On August 15, 2004, Prince Hans-Adam handed his constitutional powers to his son, Hereditary Prince Alois, though Hans-Adam retained his title as head of state.

In two-stage elections in March 2005, the VU and the FBP won 10 and 12 of Parliament's 25 seats, respectively. However, since a small third party, the Free List, captured three seats, the two larger parties were forced to form a grand coalition. Hasler remained prime minister, and his FBP took three of the five cabinet seats.

Prince Alois reiterated in 2006 that Liechtenstein would not make further changes to its banking-secrecy laws. In 2007, the OECD restated that the principality was an uncooperative tax haven, one of only three countries (along with Andorra and Monaco) that were so designated. However, partly in an effort to burnish its reputation, Liechtenstein did cooperate with an investigation into Siemens, the German-based engineering giant, regarding the alleged laundering of 190 million euros (US$256 million) that may have been used for bribes. The broader investigation gained significant international attention, as it cost the chairman and chief executive of Siemens their jobs.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Liechtenstein is an electoral democracy. However, the unelected monarchy won greater authority in 2003, making it the most politically powerful in Europe. The unicameral Parliament (Landtag) consists of 25 deputies chosen by proportional representation every four years. These freely elected representatives determine the policies of the government, but the monarch, currently Hereditary Prince Alois, has the power to veto legislation, dismiss the government, and appoint judges.

Political parties are able to freely organize. Two parties – the VU and the FBP – have dominated politics over the last half-century; however, the small Free List won three seats in the 2005 elections. Switzerland and Austria, which surround Liechtenstein, have a substantial measure of influence on the tiny principality.

Liechtenstein's politics and society are largely free of corruption, and the country continues to work to build sufficient capacity to fight money laundering in its banking system. Although Liechtenstein has a reputation as a tax haven, it signed an agreement with the European Union (EU) in 2005 promising to impose withholding taxes on savings income earned by EU nationals. (The withholding would not apply to nationals of other countries, leading to further complaints from the OECD.) Liechtenstein was not ranked by Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index.

The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and of the press. One private television station competes with the state broadcaster, and the only radio station is in private hands. The two daily newspapers are aligned roughly with the two major political parties. Broadcasts from Austria and Switzerland are available and popular in the country, as are foreign newspapers and magazines. Internet access is unfettered.

The constitution establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion but protects freedom of belief. Catholic or Protestant religious education is mandatory, but exceptions are routinely granted. All religious groups are tax exempt. The government respects academic freedom.

The right to assemble freely is not infringed. The right of association is also protected, and the principality has one small trade union.

Judges are appointed by the prince. Due process is respected, and conditions in prisons are acceptable. Following controversy over the monarch's expanded powers, the Council of Europe's secretary-general gave assurances that "Liechtenstein's status as a law-based state is unarguable." The IMF has rated the financial-services regulators as capable but too understaffed to fully police all banks and account holders. Crime is rare in the country. Switzerland is responsible for its customs and defense.

A third of the population is foreign born. While most come from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, a growing proportion are from more distant countries and do not speak German. Some native citizens have expressed concern over the number of immigrants. The government has responded by seeking to teach newcomers the language and culture of Liechtenstein in formal integration programs.

Liechtenstein has been a member since 1995 of the European Economic Area, a free-trade area that links non-EU members Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein with the EU. Liechtenstein's currency is the Swiss franc. Living standards are high, and the country has a large number of small businesses and a strong financial sector.

Under a 2005 reform, abortion is now legal in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. A 2003 court decision upheld the principle of equal pay for equal work for women, but Liechtenstein society remains conservative – women did not receive full voting rights until 1986 – and practice lags behind principle. Women are underrepresented in upper levels of business and government, but have equal rights in family law. The five-person cabinet includes one woman, responsible for foreign affairs, culture, and family affairs.