Hans-Adam II (Johannes (Hans) Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d'Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein; born 14 February 1945), is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He is the son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein (1906–1989) and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek (1921–1989). He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg. He descends directly in male line from only three of the previous fourteen Princes of Liechtenstein, and of another (again from two of the above mentioned three) in the female line.
The Prince of Liechtenstein has sweepingly broad powers; a referendum to adopt Hans-Adam's revision of the constitution to expand his powers passed in 2003. The changes also included a republican option, whereby the Prince was henceforth formally barred from vetoing any bill to establish a republic. In addition, the right to secede for the parishes which make up the Principality was recognised. Prince Hans-Adam had threatened that he and his family would move to Austria if the referendum had failed. Despite opposition from Mario Frick, a former prime minister, the Prince's referendum motion was carried by the electorate. The personal influence of the ruling Prince is increased by the republican option within the constitution, because, in this strongly pro-monarchy principality, he may more easily use the implied threat to abdicate as a means to pressure elected representatives and the electorate into accepting measures which he favours.[citation needed]
On 15 August 2004 Prince Hans-Adam II formally turned the power of making day-to-day governmental decisions over to his son Prince Alois, as a way of beginning a transition to a new generation. Formally, Hans-Adam remains Head of State
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