History
On перессказам, in 300 St. Onions has wrapped up in Christianity of inhabitants of this area which was under the power римлянинов. Francs вторгнулись in the country in 536. Later, at Charles Bolshomu, from a post of the governor was displaced єпископ, and to this post began to appoint secular governors. The area was under power Karol_ngov to 911 when the German empire has broken up to the big and small duchies. Within duchy Shvab_ja in territory of present Liechtenstein there were feudal possession Schellenberg and Vaduz which were included then into structure of Sacred Roman empire. In 1507 emperor Maksimilian has given to Vaduz the special rights and privileges, including the sovereignty and taxation. These rights have been transferred Austrian family L_htenshtejn_v. In 1699 Schellenberg, and to 1712 Vaduz were sold to the prince of Liechtenstein. In 1719 both territories it has been united in one princedom. With this date connect state Liechtenstein formation. With 1815 on 1866 Liechtenstein was a part of the German union, and in 1860 Ліхтенштейни became hereditary members of the upper chamber of the Austrian parliament, and in 1866, at Іоганне ІІ Liechtenstein (1840-1929), the princedom has found independence. In avstro-prussk_j to war 1866 Liechtenstein acted as the ally of Austria, with 1876 on 1918 had close connections with Austro-Hungary.
After the First World War Liechtenstein has terminated the contract with Austria and was reoriented on Switzerland: in 1921 the agreement on trade and post service, in 1924 the placed customs union has been signed. From that time in Liechtenstein there is in circulation Swiss money (1 Swiss franc = to 100 centimes). Liechtenstein has no own bank notes. With 1919 Switzerland represents diplomatic and consular interests of Liechtenstein abroad.
During the Second World War the princedom observed a neutrality. To 1990 Liechtenstein has entered the United Nations, in 1991 - in the European association of free trade.
The public and political life of Liechtenstein is regulated by the constitution accepted on October, 5th 1921 and added amendments 1938, 1939, 1965 and 1990. In the country three parties - Progressive burgher party (ПБП), the Domestic union (OS) and the Free list (СС) operate. On last elections in ландтаг on February, 11th 2001 has received victory ПБП (13 places), and OS has received 11 places. According to the constitution, the country government consists of party members which has won. On the previous elections 1997 it has been generated OS.
Economic prosperity of the country is provided with that it acts in a role financial and a business centre of the international value. In this connection, abroad Liechtenstein quite often bring accusation and "money-laundering" and illegal financial operations. After German investigation has prepared in the spring 1999 the corresponding secret report, the country power has spent own investigation under the guidance of the public prosecutor Інсбрука Курта Шпітцнера. As a result of it there were arrested persons a number of prominent representatives of political and business elite of Liechtenstein. Under a criticism sight there was also a bank "Liechtenstein глобал a trust", that belongs to a princely family. After new charges which have sounded from the different states, the government has entered in March 2000 new, строгіші actions against money resource "washing up". On July, 19th 2000 association of banks of Liechtenstein has informed, that opening of anonymous accounts will not be supposed further.
With 1992 in Liechtenstein "the constitutional dispute" between prince Hans Adamom ІІ and the parliamentary-governmental circles lasts. The monarch objected to attempts to limit its power выполнениям purely symbolical functions and threatened in this case "to transfer the residence to Vienna". In 1992 after divergences with the government of the agreement with the European economic space the prince has tried to dismiss parliament and to operate by means of princely decrees. This aspiration has encountered resistance and has generated disputes on constitution reform. In 1995 head of Constitutional court Bernhard to the Country house has declared, what exactly this body should assort the constitutional dispute at occurrence of divergences between the prince, the government and parliament. After that the prince has refused to confirm repeated election to the Country house a member of court. In October 1999 European court has satisfied the complaint to the Country house and has brought accusation to the prince with infringement of the convention on human rights, having condemned Liechtenstein to the penalty at a rate of 10 thousand Swiss francs and payment of indemnification to the Country house at a rate of 91 thousand Swiss francs.
In February 2000 prince has notified new offers on constitution reform, having agreed basically for a role of section of the state without the political power, on disclaimer to appoint government officials and not to confirm judges. The prince has expressed readiness to recognise behind the population the right to removal of a vote of no confidence to the prince and even on monarchy liquidation.
After elections in 2001 on which the Progressive burgher party (conservative) has won, the government has headed in April the leader of this party Otmar Hasler. Liberal party the Domestic union has gone to opposition.
