2020 Liechtenstein referendum

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.

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)

Background

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 Tisis–Nendeln 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

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

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

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. "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.