Two for One

A princely solution

By longstanding tradition, the post of Foreign Minister in the tiny European principality of Liechtenstein (pop. 25,000) is deemed the most prestigious job in government. It is normally held by the leader of the majority party, who also performs the largely ceremonial duties of Prime Minister. But after his Progressive Citizens Party lost last February's election, outgoing Premier Walter Kieber decided that he would like to retain his portfolio as Liechtenstein's chief officer of foreign affairs. The offer was declined by his successor, Hans Brunhart, head of the Fatherland Union Party, but Kieber nonetheless refused to step down. The impasse virtually paralyzed Liechtenstein's government for two months. Last week the head of state, Prince Franz Josef II, 71, stepped in to render judgment: both Kieber and Brunhart could share the job. Now Liechtenstein, where only Switzerland maintains an embassy, has twice as many Foreign Ministers as it has foreign ambassadors. qed

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