2011 Liechtenstein referendums

Three referendums were held in Liechtenstein during 2011. The first on approving the registered partnership law was held between 17 and 19 June,[1][2] and was approved by 68.8% of voters. The law went into effect on 1 September.[3] The second was held on 18 September on allowing abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.[4] Prince Alois had threatened to veto the result of the referendum should it have turned out in favour,[5] but ultimately it was rejected by voters.[6] The third was on building a new national hospital in Vaduz was held on 30 October, and was also rejected.

2011 Liechtenstein referendums
Registered Partnership Law
For
 
 68.76%
Against
 
 31.24%
Allowing abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy
For
 
 47.66%
Against
 
 52.34%
Building a new national hospital in Vaduz
For
 
 41.91%
Against
 
 58.09%
Results by municipality for Registered Partnership Law (left), abortion (center) and new hospital (right)
Politics of Liechtenstein
Constitution
Monarchy
Executive
Legislative
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Registered partnership law

The registered partnership law (Lebenspartnerschaft) was passed unanimously by the Landtag of Liechtenstein in the second reading on March 16 and published on March 21, 2011.[7][8] However, the group Vox Populi, led by a cousin of archbishop Wolfgang Haas, announced its intention to force a referendum.[9][10] According to the constitution, the organisation had until 21 April (30 days) to collect at least 1000 signatures.[11] Because the necessary signatures were gathered (1208 valid signatures), a referendum was held on the evening of 17 June and the morning of 19 June 2011.[1][2]

Campaign

The registered partnership law was supported by the government and all parties in the Landtag, but opposed by the socially conservative advocacy group "Vox Populi" and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vaduz.[10][12]

New hospital

On 28 June the Landtag passed a bill approving spending 83 million francs on the construction of a national hospital in Vaduz by 14 votes to 11.[13] A request for an advisory referendum was rejected by 12 votes to 11, but a committee gathered 2,951 signatures between 8 July and 3 August, forcing a referendum.[13]

Results

Registered partnerships

The referendum achieved a good turnout of about 70 percent as of Friday evening because of a large majority of voters who had already used postal voting.[14] Total turnout was 74.2 percent.[15]

Choice Votes  %
Referendum passed Yes 9,239 68.76
No 4,197 31.24
Valid votes 13,436 96.05
Invalid or blank votes 540 3.95
Total votes 13,988 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 18,840 74.18
Source: Direct Democracy

Abortion
Choice Votes  %
Referendum failed No 5,762 52.26
Yes 5,246 47.74
Valid votes 11,026 94.90
Invalid or blank votes 592 5.10
Total votes 11,618 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 18,919 61.14
Source: Direct Democracy

National hospital
Choice Votes  %
Referendum failed No 7,499 58.09
Yes 5,411 41.91
Valid votes 12,910 96.30
Invalid or blank votes 496 3.70
Total votes 13,406 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 18,941 70.78
Source: Direct Democracy

References
  1. "Partnerschaftsgesetz: Volk entscheidet Mitte Juni". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 26 April 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  2. "Liechtensteiner stimmen im Juni über Homo- Ehe ab". Schweizerische Depeschenagentur, Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). Vorarlberger Medienhaus. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  3. "68,8 % Ja-Stimmen für Partnerschaftsgesetz". Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. "The Local - Liechtenstein to vote on legalising abortion". Thelocal.ch. 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  5. "Liechtenstein prince threatens to veto referendum". Associated Press/The Oklahoman. 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  6. Liechtenstein, 18 September 2011: Deadline solution for abortion Direct Democracy (in German)
  7. "Ja zur eingetragenen Partnerschaft". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 16 March 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  8. "Landtag einhellig für Partnerschaftsgesetz". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 16 March 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  9. "Partnerschaftsgesetz: Doch noch Widerstand". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 28 March 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  10. "Liechtenstein stimmt über die Homo- Ehe ab" (in German). Teleport. Austria Presse Agentur. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  11. "Liebe ist ein Menschenrecht". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 4 April 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  12. "Information zur Volksabstimmung" (PDF). Government of Liechtenstein. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  13. Liechtenstein, 30 October 2011: New build of the National Hospital Direct Democracy (in German)
  14. "Partnerschaftsgesetz lockt viele an die Urne". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 17 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  15. "Akt. Abstimmungen > Ergebnisse 19.06.2011" (in German). Presse- und Informationsamt Fürstentum Liechtenstein. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
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