Liechtenstein prince threatens to leave

Prince Hans-Adam II: Constitutional bill a test of loyalty

The head of state of the tiny principality of Liechtenstein, Prince Hans-Adam II, has threatened to pack up and leave the country if his plans to change the constitution are rejected.

His proposals will go before parliament on Thursday, but the matter is expected to be put to a referendum in the first half of next year.

We love this country and we are tied to this country but it cannot be one-sided love - if we are no longer wanted, then we will pack our bags and go

Liechtenstein Prince Hans-Adam II

Liechtenstein is a tiny sliver of alpine countryside on the border between Austria and Switzerland.

But even though the whole country is smaller than Washington DC, it has been a sovereign state for nearly 200 years and is a major international banking hub.

Prince Hans-Adam II has been running the country for nearly 20 years and appears to have run out of patience with its politicians.

Constitutional changes

He has proposed a set of constitutional changes that would reduce the powers of the government and allow him to appeal to the people directly.

The tiny principality is a global banking centre

A draft package was prepared last summer, following tense consultations among the wealthy prince, his heirs, parliament and the newly elected centre-right government.

The proposals will be reviewed at parliament's first hearing of the constitutional bill next Thursday, but they are unlikely to be approved.

"If the proposals are rejected by parliament and the people then the situation for us here is politically untenable," the prince told a Liechtenstein newspaper.

History of threats

He made it clear that he was regarding the issue as a test of personal loyalty.

"We love this country and we are tied to this country but it cannot be one-sided love," the prince told the Liechtensteiner Vaterland newspaper.

"If we are no longer wanted, then we will pack our bags and go," he added.

The prince has made threats like this before, but now his hurt tone might have to do with the results of a recent poll showing that only a small majority want to keep the monarchy and 56% oppose the prince's constitutional proposals.

Last year the prince threatened to dismiss the government and impose emergency rule if it did not co-operate with an investigation into money-laundering.