Liechtenstein switches to absolute primogeniture, allowing women to inherit the throne

Liechtenstein's Princely House has announced a revision to the country's succession rules so that women can inherit the throne in future.

Alois Philipp Maria, the Hereditary Prince and regent, presented the change during a speech on Liechtenstein's national day, saying the amendment passed with the two-thirds family majority required for such matters.

He stressed the decision was guided by a long-term view of the monarchy's stability. "The ability to combine continuity and renewal is a principle we value within the Princely House. In our centuries-old history, it has served us well to make decisions in a long-term and very well-considered way," Alois said.

From male preference to absolute primogeniture

The succession will move from male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, Alois explained. "This means that in the future, the firstborn child, regardless of sex, will become the heir to the throne, and later prince or princess of Liechtenstein," he said.

The palace clarified the change will apply only to descendants of the children of Alois and his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie, who are born in the future, so the current line of succession is unaffected for now.

Alois acts as regent and performs many duties on behalf of his father, Hans-Adam II, who remains the formal head of state. In 2004 Hans-Adam II transferred the bulk of his powers to Alois, in keeping with Liechtenstein's monarchical traditions.

Liechtenstein, a wealthy microstate of about 40,000 people bordering Switzerland and Austria, has an unusually powerful monarchy by European standards: the prince can veto referendum results, appoint judges and dismiss the government. Women won the right to vote there after a 1984 referendum, in which only men were permitted to vote and narrowly approved the change — a move that Hans-Adam II supported. Last year, Brigit Has became the country's first female prime minister.

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