In a world of turmoil where bitter political divisions have often become the norm, the Principality of Liechtenstein stands out for its domestic tranquility, political stability, and prosperity.
It is also one of Europe’s smallest states covering an area of 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and has a population of 40,000 citizens. The country, which is governed by the enlightened Prince Hans Adam II, is one of the wealthiest per capita in the world.
The Principality – which enjoys broad public support domestically – also represents continuity, respect for tradition, and above all: patriotism.
In his national day address, which took place on August 15 outside of the Vaduz Castle, Hereditary Prince Alois, made news by announcing that women will be able to inherit the throne under the Principality’s newly adopted succession rules.
“In addition, succession to the Throne will change from male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. This means that in future, the first-born child, regardless of gender, will become Heir to the Throne and subsequently Princess or Prince of Liechtenstein,” Hereditary Prince Alois declared.
As made clear in his national day address, the ethos of the staunchly Catholic Alpine nation arguably rests on the following premise: God, Prince, and Fatherland.
Liechtenstein, however, is not immune to global threats: The Hereditary Prince also addressed a recent cyber-attack on the Principality but did not identify the perpetrator.
Liechtenstein maintains a strategic alliance with neighboring Switzerland.
Our history repeatedly shows that progress and continuity need not be opposites. Remaining committed to what has proven successful while remaining open to innovation has brought us far
Dear Citizens of Liechtenstein, Excellencies, Dear Guests,
A year ago, standing here, I spoke about the need for a fundamental revision of our security policy considering the changing security environment and rapid digital developments. I am pleased that the Government has since developed a new security strategy, with the involvement of many stakeholders, that reflects such a comprehensive revision.
Now it is important that we continue this process without delay. As the recent cyberattack on the Register of Beneficial Owners has clearly demonstrated, digital attacks on our country’s infrastructure are a very real threat. Hybrid warfare, in which social media is used, among other means, to influence, unsettle or divide populations through targeted disinformation, is also a major danger in the digital sphere, and one for which we must prepare even more intensively. To do so, we must cooperate closely, make use of the most advanced and suitable approaches available worldwide, and develop structures that best meet our needs. This requires continuous adaptation and improvement. In a country such as Liechtenstein, security can only succeed if it is supported jointly by the state institutions, the business community and the population. For this reason, the security strategy will continue to be developed in dialogue with the public in the coming months.
I would like to encourage all of you to participate actively in this process.
Dear Citizens of Liechtenstein,
Education is also a key pillar of our country’s security and future viability. Only if our population is well educated can we develop and sustainably maintain the structures best suited for the digital age. At the same time, we strengthen the social resilience that is so important in addressing today’s security challenges and preserve our unique stability. However, Liechtenstein’s educational landscape faces several challenges. Recent developments have made this clear. A genuine and comprehensive reform of education is necessary, both in the school sector and through a thoughtful adaptation of the overall system.
Such a reform requires time, continuity and broad support. It is therefore important not only to pursue such a project consistently, but also to create the necessary timeframe so that the developments that have been initiated can unfold their full effect.
Real and lasting progress can only be achieved if the population and the relevant stakeholders support these changes and place the necessary trust in those responsible.
Dear Citizens of Liechtenstein,
We must continually strike the right balance between progress and continuity, between acting swiftly where necessary and proceeding with broad consensus wherever possible.
How can we best achieve this? A look back at our history provides some guidance:
- How did Liechtenstein become what it is today?
- What enabled a small country in the heart of Europe to preserve peace, freedom and prosperity across generations?
The answer lies not only in our economy, our institutions or our Constitution. It also lies in an attitude that has shaped our country for centuries.
We have never been large enough to impose our will on others. We have never been powerful enough simply to enforce our interests. Our success has rested on other strengths: reliability, diplomacy, the building of sustainable relationships, and also the willingness to adapt quickly to new circumstances when necessary.
We have achieved all this without ever losing our identity. Anyone who looks at our history will recognize that Liechtenstein has rarely advanced through major upheavals. Our development has usually been the result of many careful steps. We have learned that not every question can or must be solved immediately and definitively, but that it is always important to preserve our ability to act.
Today, we live in a time when political discussions often create the impression that every issue has only two possible answers. One is either for or against something. One belongs to one side or the other.
Reality, however, is usually more complex. The State of Liechtenstein rests on several pillars: the people, Parliament, the Government and the Princely House. Each of these institutions contributes its own perspective and assumes its own responsibility. The strength of our country does not arise because one of these voices decides alone, but because multiple perspectives are taken into account.
Anyone who bears responsibility for the whole must also consider the following questions: What long-term consequences might a decision have for the state and its people? What impact will it have on social cohesion? What significance could it have for future generations? How does it fit into the overall framework of our constitutional order?
Responsible people can arrive at different assessments of the same issue even when pursuing the same goal: the well-being of our country. In the past, it has served us well not to eliminate such differences, but to give them space and then, wherever possible, seek an orderly balance.
Our history repeatedly shows that progress and continuity need not be opposites. Remaining committed to what has proven successful while remaining open to innovation has brought us far.
Dear Citizens of Liechtenstein,
The ability to combine continuity and renewal is also a principle that we cultivate within the Princely House. Throughout our centuries-old history, we have benefited from making decisions with a long-term perspective and great care.
Today, I am pleased to inform you of a decision of great importance to our House, one that has been discussed within the family in various forms for decades. It involves an amendment to the house rules, which was formally initiated at the end of last year and secured the necessary two-thirds majority of family members entitled to vote on Wednesday.
Through this amendment, all female descendants of the Princely House will be granted the same participation rights in matters governed by the House Law as male descendants. In addition, succession to the Throne will change from male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. This means that in future, the first-born child, regardless of gender, will become Heir to the Throne and subsequently Princess or Prince of Liechtenstein.
With these changes, we wish to ensure that responsibility for the House and the Country will, in future, rest where the best preparation for these duties has taken place. This is generally the case for the children of the reigning Prince or Princess, who grow up here and are acquainted from an early age with the particular characteristics of the country and the Princely House.
Dear Citizens of Liechtenstein,
Our country, its businesses and its people have never been successful merely by adopting whatever others were doing elsewhere or whatever happened to be considered modern at the time. Of course, we have observed carefully and learned from others. But in the end, we have always asked ourselves:
- What is truly necessary?
- What suits our country, its form of state, its size, its identity and its society?
Let these questions continue to guide our actions in the future. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who has contributed to the organization of our National Day celebrations. I wish you all a wonderful National Day and God’s blessing.
