1949 Liechtenstein general election

1949 Liechtenstein general election
6 February 1949
All 15 seats in the Landtag
8 seats needed for a majority
Turnout92.30% (Decrease 1.06pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
FBP Alexander Frick 52.93 8 0
VU Otto Schaedler 47.07 7 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Alexander Frick
FBP		 Alexander Frick
FBP

General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 6 February 1949 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag.[1] The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won eight seats and retained its majority, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven. Voter turnout was 92.3%.

Similarly to previous elections, the election campaign was characterized by accusations from both parties. Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of prime minister Alexander Frick remained. The same year, the VU demanded that the position of president of the Landtag be rotated annually between the two parties, being accepted for the 1953–1957 legislative period.

Background

In the 1945 general elections, the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) retained its majority of eight seats, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven.[2] The coalition government under the leadership of Josef Hoop remained,[3][4] but he would resign in September amidst pressure from Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein to do so, as the prince believed that post-war Liechtenstein required a change of leadership.[5] He was succeeded by Alexander Frick, who maintained the coalition government,[6] and in 1946 at the request of Franz Joseph II it was declared binding.[7]

Frick's term in office was characterized by the challenge of the pro-Axis First Russian National Army which had taken refuge in Liechtenstein near the end of World War II.[6] Despite pressure from the Soviet Union to extradite the Russians, the Liechtenstein government refused to do so. According to Frick, with the support of Franz Joseph II, the Russians were at no point in danger of being extradited and they were granted asylum until 1948.[8][6] His term also saw other challenges such as the transfer of the Ellhorn mountain to Switzerland in 1948 and the social re-integration of the former members of the Nazi German National Movement in Liechtenstein,[6] though seven participants of the failed 1939 putsch were convicted in 1946.[9]

Electoral system

The 15 members of the Landtag were elected by open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 9 seats and Unterland with 6 seats.[10] Voters vote for a party list and then may strike through candidates for whom they do not wish to cast a preferential vote, and may add names of candidates from other lists.[11] The electoral threshold to win a seat is 18%.[10] Once formed, the Landtag elects the prime minister and two government councillors who govern in a cabinet.[12] Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.[13][14]

Campaign

Alexander Frick, pictured in 1954

Both the FBP and VU campaigned on their respective party newspapers, the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt and Liechtensteiner Vaterland.[15][16] During the election campaign, the FBP highlighted its achievements in office, such as the construction of the Liechtenstein inland canal, the expansion/improvement of roads, social legislation, and the building of an embankment on the Rhine. The FBP also criticized the VU for the financial policies of its predecessor party, the Christian-Social People's Party,[15] and also the VU in connection to the 1928 embezzlement scandal.[17]

On the other hand, the VU appealed to workers and campaigned on protecting their interests. In addition, the party also highlighted its work in expanding social legislation and insurance.[18] The VU criticized the FBP for conducting a campaign based on hostility; the VU compared criticism for the 1928 embezzlement scandal to "digging out a dusty plate" and accused the FBP of "malice" for connecting the VU to it.[16]

Candidates

Political parties must have the support of 30 voters from a constituency to be eligible to nominate a candidate list in it.[19] A total of 30 candidates were presented for the election.[20][21]

Oberland FBP VU
Unterland FBP VU
Source: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, Liechtensteiner Vaterland[20][21]

Results

The seat distribution remained unchanged from the 1945 elections, with the FBP winning a majority of eight seats, whereas the VU won seven. Voter turnout was 92.30%.[22]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Progressive Citizens' Party1,55552.9380
Patriotic Union1,38347.0770
Total2,938100.00150
Valid votes2,93896.90
Invalid/blank votes943.10
Total votes3,032100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,28592.30
Source: Vogt[22]

By electoral district

Electoral district Seats Electorate Party Elected members Substitutes Votes % Seats
Oberland 9 2,178 Patriotic Union
1,018 52.1 5
Progressive Citizens' Party
935 47.9 4
Unterland 6 1,107 Progressive Citizens' Party
620 62.9 4
Patriotic Union
365 37.1 2
Source: Vogt[22]

Aftermath

The government of Alexander Frick

Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of Frick remained.[3][4] The same year, the VU demanded that the position of president of the Landtag be rotated annually between the two parties, and this demand was accepted but only for the 1953–1957 legislative period.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1165.
  2. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1182.
  3. 1 2 "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li (in German). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Koalition" [Coalition]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 1 August 2026. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  5. ↑ Geiger, Peter (31 December 2011). "Hoop, Josef (1895–1959)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Frick, Alexander". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 31 October 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  7. 1 2 Brunhart 1986, p. 47.
  8. ↑ Tolstoy 1977.
  9. ↑ Büchel, Donat (31 December 2011). "Anschlussputsch". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Marxer, Wilfried; Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Wahlsysteme". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  11. ↑ Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1159.
  12. ↑ Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Regierung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Marxer, Wilfried; Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Stimm- und Wahlrecht". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Frick, Julia (31 December 2011). "Frauenstimm- und -wahlrecht". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Die „Dreckschleuder"" [The "Filth-Spewer"]. Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Warum stimme ich geschlossen für die Vaterländische Union?" [Why am I voting solidly for the Patriotic Union?]. Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Fest steht" [One thing is certain]. Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Arbeiter" [Workers]. Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Bekanntmachung" [Notice]. Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 21 January 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Die Männer der Bürgerpartei". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Unsere Kandidaten zum Landtag". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 5 February 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 Vogt 1987, p. 212.

Bibliography

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