February 1993 Liechtenstein general election

February 1993 Liechtenstein general election
7 February 1993
All 25 seats in the Landtag
13 seats needed for a majority
Turnout87.54% (Decrease 3.34pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
FBP Markus Büchel 44.19 12 0
VU Hans Brunhart 45.43 11 −2
FL Executive committee 10.38 2 +2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Results by consistency
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Hans Brunhart
VU		 Markus Büchel
FBP

General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 7 February 1993 to elect the 25 members of the Landtag. The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won a plurality of twelve seats, with the Patriotic Union (VU) winning eleven. The Free List (FL) won two seats, which was the first time a third party won seats in the Landtag. Voter turnout was 87.5%.[1]

Incumbent prime minister Hans Brunhart of the VU sought re-election for a fifth term, while the FBP nominated Markus Büchel for the position. Following the election, Brunhart resigned, and the FBP and VU were asked to form a coalition government under the leadership of Büchel. The new government was sworn in on 26 May 1993. However, after losing the confidence of his party, Büchel was the subject of a successful motion of no confidence in the Landtag in September, and fresh elections were held in October.

Background

The 1989 elections had been called early due to the Kunsthaus case. In the election, Patriotic Union (VU) won a majority of thirteen seats, whereas the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won twelve.[2] As a result, the VU and FBP formed a coalition government, with Hans Brunhart continuing as prime minister.[3][4]

Brunhart's fourth term in office was marked by a constitutional crisis regarding a referendum towards Liechtenstein's accession to the European Economic Area (EEA). Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, called for Liechtenstein's referendum to be held prior the corresponding referendum in Switzerland. This was against the countries' custom union and the wishes of the government and the Landtag. After a demonstration of approximately 2,000 people took place in the capital of Vaduz, Hans-Adam II and the government reached a compromise. Both parties agreed that the referendum would be held after the one in Switzerland, and they also affirmed that the government would commit to agreements with the EEA regardless the result in Switzerland.[5] The subsequent referendum held in Liechtenstein in December 1992 was accepted by voters.[6]

The crisis highlighted ambiguities in the constitution and started a debate around the prince's role in dismissing the government and the appointment of public officials. As such, in November 1992, the Landtag agreed that the constitution needed to be amended or interpreted precisely to clarify the prince's role.[7]

Electoral system

The 25 members of the Landtag are elected via open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 15 seats and Unterland with 10 seats.[8] 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. The electoral threshold to win a seat is 8%.[8] Landtag members sit for a four-year term. Once formed, the Landtag elects the prime minister and four government councillors who govern in a cabinet.[9] Voting is compulsory by law, and those who fail to vote without a valid reason may be fined, but this is no longer enforced.[10] Citizens over 20 years of age who have been resident in the country for one month prior to election day were eligible to vote.[11]

Campaign

Main parties

Hans Brunhart (left) and Markus Büchel (right) were the VU and FBP's respective nominations for prime minister

The VU re-nominated Brunhart for prime minister on 26 October 1993. In addition, the party nominated Reinhard Walser and Daniel Meier as government candidates.[12] The party campaigned on political continuity and European integration;[13][14] Brunhart expressed his support of continuing the coalition government with the FBP.[15]

The FBP nominated lawyer Markus Büchel for prime minister on 23 September 1992. This nomination came after incumbent deputy prime minister Herbert Wille announced that he would not seek the position again.[16] In addition, the party nominated Kurt Korner and Cornelia Gassner as government candidates on 22 January.[17] Büchel stated that a coalition government would happen "under certain conditions".[15]

Both the VU and FBP sought a majority in the Landtag. Major issues of the election included European integration, particularly with the EEA and the relationship with Switzerland.[15] In a debate on 31 January 1993, Büchel argued that negotiations with Europe should have been conducted with more "force", and accused Brunhart of violating the constitution in regards to the 1992 constitutional crisis. In addition, he also argued for the reduction of spending.[15][18] Conversely, Brunhart defended his record in the constitutional crisis, highlighted his achievements during negotiations for EEA membership, and how cooperation with the prince played a role in the successful referendum in regards to the country's EEA membership.[15]

Opposition parties

The Free List presented its Landtag candidates in December 1992.[19] A month prior, a Free List-initiated referendum to abolish the 8% threshold to win seats in the Landtag was rejected by voters by a significant margin.[20] The party advocated for the legalisation of abortion and criticized the dependence on holding-company tax revenue in the Liechtenstein state budget; the party stated that it did not "fundamentally" seek participation in government, but was open to if the VU and FBP failed to form a coalition.[15] In that regard, the FBP did not rule out cooperation with the party.[15]

The Non-Party List (ÜLL) did not participate in the election. According to Leo Sele, a spokesman from the party, the party's personnel situation prevented it from running. In addition, the ÜLL claimed that it had attempted to cooperate with the Free List, but failed due to opposition from the party.[21]

Candidates

Candidates have the same eligibility criteria as voters. Political parties must have the support of 30 voters from a constituency to be eligible to nominate a candidate list in it.[10] A total of 63 candidates were presented for the election; 50 men and 13 women.[22]

Oberland FBP VU FL
  • Evelyne Bermann
  • Claudia Heeb-Fleck
  • Christel Hilti-Kaufmann
  • René Hasler
  • Hilmar Hoch
  • Konrad Kindle
  • Clemens Laternser
  • Nikolaus Ruther
  • Paul Vogt
Unterland FBP VU FL
  • Toni Batliner
  • Josef Büchel
  • Otmar Hasler
  • Anton Heeb
  • Franz Hoop
  • Carl Kaiser
  • Gabriel Marxer
  • Gebhard Näscher
  • Martha Spiegel-Oehri
  • Renate Wohlwend
Source: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt[23]

Results

The FBP received 44.2% of the vote, a 2.1% increase from their 1989 performance, and won a plurality of twelve seats in the Landtag. The VU won 45.4%, a 1.8% decrease from 1989, and won eleven seats at a decrease of two.[24] Despite the FBP receiving 1.2% less of the vote than the VU, the FBP won more seats due to winning five in the Unterland electoral district.[25] The Free List saw its vote share increase from 7.6% to 10.4%, and it won two seats, making it the first third party to win seats in the Landtag.[26][24]

A total of 12,255 ballots were cast, resulting in a 87.5% voter turnout.[24]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Progressive Citizens' Party71,20944.19120
Patriotic Union73,21745.4311–2
Free List16,72410.382+2
Total161,150100.00250
Valid votes12,09298.67
Invalid/blank votes1631.33
Total votes12,255100.00
Registered voters/turnout13,99987.54
Source: Nohlen & Stöver[24]

By electoral district

Electoral district Seats Party Elected members Votes % Seats
Oberland 15 Patriotic Union
56,507 46.83 7
Progressive Citizens' Party
50,982 42.25 7
Free List
13,186 10.93 1
Unterland 10 Progressive Citizens' Party
20,214 49.99 5
Patriotic Union
16,692 41.28 4
Free List Wolfgang Marxer 3534 8.74 1
Source: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt[23]

Aftermath

Following the election, Brunhart resigned as prime minister.[27][28] The FBP invited the VU to begin negotiations for a renewed coalition government, which the VU accepted.[29] Walser and Meier also resigned as government candidates, so the VU nominated Mario Frick and Michael Ritter as candidates instead.[30] The Free List also said that it was open to begin negotiations for a coalition government.[31] The FBP and VU entered into a renewed coalition government, ultimately under the leadership of Büchel. As the junior party in the coalition, Frick became deputy prime minister. The new government was sworn in on 26 May 1993.[32]

Within three months of the government's term in August 1993, Büchel came under controversy due to a disagreements with his party regarding the appointment of the head of the Liechtenstein tax administration.[33][34] On 31 August, the FBP withdrew confidence in Büchel and publicly called for his resignation as prime minister;[35] the party cited his poor performance in office, untruthfulness, and refusal to work with government colleagues as reasons for the loss in confidence.[35][36] On 14 September, a FBP-initiated motion of no confidence in the Landtag against Büchel succeeded 17–8, so the body requested his dismissal.[37] Hans-Adam II dismissed both the government and the Landtag, and fresh elections were held in October.[38][39]

References

  1. ↑ Dataset: Liechtenstein: Parliamentary Election 1993 - February Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine European Election Database
  2. ↑ "Liechtenstein Parliamentary Chamber: Landtag Elections Held in 1989". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "FBP-Landesausschuss spricht sich für Regierungsbeteiligung aus". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 11 May 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Der neugewählten Regierungsmitglieder wurden vereidigt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 6 June 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  5. ↑ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Staatskrise (28.10.1992)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. ↑ "Liechtenstein to join trade zone". Doylestown Intelligencer. 14 December 1992. p. 21. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  7. ↑ Marcinkowski & Marxer 2010, p. 105.
  8. 1 2 Marxer 2000, pp. 62–64.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. 1 2 Marxer 2000, p. 58.
  11. ↑ Marxer 2000, p. 57.
  12. ↑ Schaper, Markus (27 October 1992). "Regierungsmannschaft nominiert". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Fritz, Günther (6 February 1993). "Politische Weichenstellung für die kommenden vier Jahre". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Perspektive Zusammenarbeit". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 5 February 1993. p. 5. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fritz, Günther (1 February 1993). "Der Preis für einen Wechsel heisst Unberechenbarkeit und Instabilität". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 3. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Markus Büchel – offizieller FBP-Kandidat für das Amt des Regierungschefs". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 24 September 1992. p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Dr. Cornelia Gassner und Kurt Korner – FBP-Regierungskandidaten". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 23 January 1993. p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Meier, Günther (1 February 1993). "Diskussion der Parteien über Wahlen als Premiere im Landeskanal". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Freie Liste an den Landtagswahlen". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 16 December 1992. p. 3. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  20. ↑ Meier, Günther (9 November 1992). "Ja zu einer Sperrklausel von 8 %". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "ÜLL kandidiert bei Wahlen nicht". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 16 December 1992. p. 3. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Liechtenstein Parliamentary Chamber: Landtag Elections Held in 1993". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Landtagswahl 1993". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 8 February 1993. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1181–1183.
  25. ↑ Marxer 2009, p. 3.
  26. ↑ Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Landtag". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  27. ↑ Fritz, Günther (8 February 1993). ""Für mich ist klar, dass ich der neuen Regierung nicht angehören werde"". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 7. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  28. ↑ ""Ausgang der Wahl bringt die grosse Chance zur politischen Erneuerung"". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 9 February 1993. p. 5. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  29. ↑ Meier, Günther (11 March 1993). "Die FBP arbeitet auf eine möglichst zügige Regierungsbildung hin". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  30. ↑ Fritz, Günther (25 March 1993). "Neues Regierungsteam vorgeschlagen". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Meier, Günther (9 February 1993). "Die FBP ist für eine Koalition, aber «nicht um jeden Preis»". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "Die neue Regierung mit Regierungschef Markus Büchel ist im Amt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 May 2026. p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Hoch, Hubert (13 August 1993). "Ist das nun die «moderne Personalpolitik»?". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Büchel, Markus (1959–2013)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  35. 1 2 Hoch, Hubert (31 August 1993). "Regierungschef von eigener Partei zum Rücktritt aufgefordert". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Meier, Günther (2 September 1993). "Keine Einigung zwischen FBP-Führung und Regierungschef". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Fritz, Günther (15 September 1993). "Regierungschef gestürzt". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Meier, Günther (16 September 1993). "Landtag wurde aufgelöst, Regierungschef Büchel bleibt im Amt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  39. ↑ "Liechtenstein Parliamentary Chamber: Landtag Elections Held in 1993". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 23 July 2026.

Bibliography

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