ZURICH (Reuters) – Liechtenstein voted to affix the Worldwide Financial Fund in a referendum on Sunday in a transfer geared toward integrating the tiny principality extra deeply into multilateral affairs and making a backstop for potential emergencies.
By a margin of 55.8% to 44.2%, voters within the rich nation sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria backed turning into the 191st member of the Washington-based fund, in line with an official authorities tally.
Membership was backed by Prince Alois, the performing head of state and inheritor to the throne, who stated earlier this month it will underpin the monetary stability of Liechtenstein and supply entry to liquidity within the occasion of any emergency.
Overseas Minister Dominique Hasler stated the nation had opted for the IMF after cautious consideration in an effort to pursue an lively international coverage and do it in a multilateral group that made sense for a nation of its measurement.
Membership additionally supplied an extra layer of safety in case of potential crises, she advised Reuters.
“As a result of we have seen previously that even nations which are doing properly can profit from being an IMF member,” she stated.
Hasler stated Liechtenstein would formally change into a member after sealing its accession with the IMF on Oct. 21.
