Hereditary Prince Alois presided over his 18th opening of Parliament on the 17th of January 2022.
Alois has been Hereditary Prince since his father’s ascension to the throne in 1989 and is also currently serving as the country’s Regent. His father appointed him to the role in August of 2004 to prepare for a future generational change.
As Prince Regent, he often undertakes the duties of a head of state, including the opening of Parliament.
With Liechtenstein being a Roman Catholic principality, the event is preceded by a church service in St Florin Cathedral, the main church of Liechtenstein, where all major events in the Princely Family’s life take place. For the 18th time, Prince Alois was at the head of the delegation of politicians that attended the service.
At 10 am sharp, the Prince then sat on the throne in the Parliament building and delivered a speech, focused on the topics that the legislature will have to deal with during the year.
Prince Alois’s speech was followed by remarks from the Parliament’s senior President, Albert Fick, before the election of the President and Vice-President and the putting together of several commissions to deal with the most pressing issues in the country.
The Opening of Parliament is not the first operative session of the legislature but rather a formal occasion to “set everything up” before the work begins.
In 2022, the first legislative session of Parliament is expected to take place at the beginning of March, giving members a few weeks to prepare their work.
Undoubtedly, one of the topics that will be most pressing is the pandemic and its consequences on the local economy, which Hereditary Prince Alois addressed at length during his Christmas speech, which was broadcast via the National Radio.
