100 Years of Direct Suffrage - Liechtenstein 2018 - 100 Rappen

One century ago, the country of Liechtenstein introduced direct suffrage. Prior to 1918, foreign heads of government governed the country with national administrators and the Landtag, Liechtenstein’s parliament, was composed of indirectly elected members and members appointed by the reigning princes. The catalyst for the changes was the emerging democratic spirit after the First World War. The people called for a democratic constitution to be drawn up, for participation in government and for the direct election of members of the Landtag. Through the new constitution which entered into force in 1921, the country was given the form of government that it still has today - a constitutional, hereditary monarchy on a democratic, parliamentary basis. Since that time, many state functions can only be exercised if various state authorities cooperate. By introducing the direct electoral system in 1918, an important step was not only taken towards increasing the political rights of the people, the doors were also opened to the formation of political parties. Through the stamp “100 Years of Direct Suffrage” (face value: CHF 1.00) by Hans Peter Gassner, Philately Liechtenstein is commemorating this memorable occasion.