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2020 Liechtenstein referendum

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2020 Liechtenstein referendum

30 August 2020

Referendum on:
  • Amending the constitution to promote equal representation of women in political bodies
  • Allowing dual citizenship for naturalised citizens
  • Funding a railway line expansion
HalbeHalbe (HalfHalf)
For
21.2%
Against
78.8%
Proposal rejected
Dual citizenship
For
38.5%
Against
61.5%
Proposal rejected
Rail expansion
For
37.7%
Against
62.3%
Proposal rejected

Results by municipality (all three options)

A three-part referendum was held in Liechtenstein on 30 August 2020. Voters were asked whether they approve of an initiative proposing changes to the constitution to promote the equal representation of women in political bodies, a parliament law allowing dual citizenship for naturalised citizens, and a decision by the government to fund a railway line expansion. All three proposals were rejected.

Background

[edit]

The 'HalbeHalbe' (HalfHalf) popular initiative proposes inserting the text "The balanced representation of women and men in political bodies is promoted." to article 31, paragraph 2 of the constitution.[1] The initiative was approved by the Landtag in November 2019, with organisers given six weeks to obtain the 1,500 signatures necessary for it to be discussed in the Landtag.[2] Around 1,800 signatures were obtained,[1] resulting in a debate in the Landtag on 4 March. A majority of members rejected the proposal, resulting in it proceeding to a referendum.[3]

The dual citizenship proposal was put forward by the Free List in 2015, with the Landtag voting to require the government to amend legislation to allow dual citizenship for naturalised citizens by abolishing the requirement for them to give up their previous citizenship. The legislation was approved by the Landtag in March 2020, with members of parliament also voting to put the final decision to voters in a referendum.[4]

A proposal to fund the S-Bahn Liechtenstein [de] project - dual tracking of the TisisNendeln railway track (which would allow the Swiss St. Gallen S-Bahn and Austrian Vorarlberg S-Bahn to merge into a regional network and increasing train frequency through Liechtenstein) was approved by the Landtag on 4 June 2020, with 18 members voting in favour. A majority of members also voted to put the final decision to voters in a referendum.[5]

Campaign

[edit]
Party HalbeHalbe Dual citizenship Rail expansion
Progressive Citizens' Party[6][7][8] Neutral[a] Support Support
Patriotic Union[10] Oppose Support Support
Free List[11] Support Support Support
The Independents[12] Oppose Unknown Oppose

Results

[edit]

All three proposals were rejected by a majority of voters. Turnout was slightly over 82%.

Question For Against Invalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
Turnout (%) Result
Votes % Votes %
HalbeHalbe 3,540 21.25 13,121 78.75 84 16,745 20,366 82.22 Rejected
Dual citizenship 6,419 38.48 10,262 61.52 89 16,770 82.34 Rejected
Rail expansion 6,272 37.66 10,383 62.34 128 16,783 82.41 Rejected
Source: Principality of Liechtenstein

References

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  1. ^ Despite the party allowing its members to vote their conscience on the issue, the women's wing of the party supports the measure.[9]
  1. ^ a b "HalbeHalbe" Volksblatt
  2. ^ Unterschriftensammlung für «HalbeHalbe» startet am Freitag Vaterland, 7 November 2019
  3. ^ "HalbeHalbe" kommt vors Volk Volksblatt, 4 March 2020
  4. ^ Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft: Landtag sagt Ja, überlässt Entscheidung aber dem Volk Volksblatt, 5 March 2020
  5. ^ S-Bahn bekommt grünes Licht Volksblatt, 4 June 2020
  6. ^ "HalbeHalbe: «Es wird schwierig für uns»". Vaterland (in German). 2 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft stärkt die Gesellschaft". Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei in Liechtenstein (in German). 2 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Ja zur S-Bahn und zur doppelten Staatsbürgerschaft". Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei in Liechtenstein (in German). 2 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  9. ^ Frommelt, Clarissa (29 November 2019). "Initiative Halbe-Halbe". Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei in Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  10. ^ Volksabstimmungen: VU empfiehlt zweimal Ja, einmal Nein Volksblatt, 30 June 2020
  11. ^ Freie Liste empfiehlt drei Mal Ja Volksblatt, 5 August 2020
  12. ^ "Zeitung der Unabhängigen - für Liechtenstein – Juli 2020" (PDF). du - die Unabhängigen (in German). July 2020. p. 3. Retrieved 26 August 2020.