Liechtenstein’s principality announced a modification to its rules of succession during the country’s national day celebrations on Saturday. Hereditary Prince Alois, who currently holds most executive powers after his father transferred them in 2004, declared that the change had been approved by the required two-thirds majority of eligible family members.
The adjustment modifies the succession system from male primogeniture, which prioritizes male heirs, to absolute primogeniture, under which the firstborn child inherits the throne regardless of gender. According to Alois, this shift reflects the royal house’s commitment to balancing tradition with adaptation. The principality’s statement clarified that the new rules will apply only to children of Alois and his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie, who are born in the future, meaning the current line of succession remains unchanged.
Alois, age 58, has four children. His eldest child is Prince Joseph Wenzel, 31, followed by Princess Marie Caroline, 29. The change follows Liechtenstein’s historical progression toward greater gender equality. The Alpine nation, which has approximately 40,000 residents and borders Switzerland and Austria, granted women voting rights in national elections in 1984, making it the final European country to do so. The measure passed narrowly in a referendum supported by Hans-Adam, the current reigning prince. Later, Brigitte Haas was appointed as the country’s first female prime minister.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI