| Basis |
According to the Constitution, the Principality of Liechtenstein is «a constitutional, hereditary monarchy based upon democratic and parliamentary principles». Parliament is the legal body representing the entire people and, as such, has the duty of safeguarding and vindicating the rights and interests of the people.
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| Legislation |
According to the Constitution, the Principality of Liechtenstein is «a constitutional, hereditary monarchy based upon democratic and parliamentary principles». Parliament is the legal body representing the entire people and, as such, has the duty of safeguarding and vindicating the rights and interests of the people.
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| Treaties |
Treaties which involve sovereign rights, cause new burdens or encroach on the rights of the citizens must be presented to Parliament. A treaty signed by the Government cannot be amended by Parliament, but only be accepted or rejected as a whole.
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| Formation of government |
The state budget is prepared by the Government and passed by Parliament, which has the right to amend any item. If the Government requires extra funds for new tasks during the course of a year or exceeds budget items, a supplementary credit must be applied for through Parliament. In the event of funds being required for plans stretching over several years (e.g. for large building projects), the Government must apply to Parliament to pledge a credit guarantee.
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| Electoral issues |
Parliament is responsible for various electoral matters: in addition to the Government, it elects the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Boards of state institutions (social security, electricity, gas) and members of various committees. In the constitutional revision in 2003, the right to appoint judges, which had been held by Parliament, was transferred to a new special committee for the appointment of the judiciary, in which Members of Parliament are also represented. Parliament can only elect the candidates suggested by this committee. If Parliament doesn't agree with the suggested candidates, it can nominate its own candidates. The final decision is then taken in a public vote.
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| Function of exercising control |
Parliament has the right and the duty to scrutinize the entire state administration including the administration of justice. Parliament entrusts this task on the one hand to the Supervisory Committee and on the other hand deals with it directly when discussing the annual statement of account of the authorities and the state accounts. Furthermore, Members of Parliament can present oral or written enquiries to Government regarding any branch of the state administration. The investigative committees, formed in accordance with actual needs, represent an efficient tool of scrutiny.
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| Deliberative functions |
Public discussion and debates to find answers to many challenging political issues form an essential part of parliamentary work. They facilitate the forming of public opinion and the decision-making process.
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