Photo: Vaduz Castle, the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Michael Gredenberg (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://bit.ly/2HLWqZN
KEY FACTS
Freedom House Rating
Free
Government Type
Constitutional Monarchy
Population
39,000 |
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Parliamentary Elections
February 7, 2021
Local Elections
March/April 2023 (due) |
PAST ELECTIONS
Local Elections
March 24 and April 14, 2019
Parliamentary Elections
February 5, 2017 |
Liechtenstein has scheduled parliamentary elections for February 7, 2021. Voters will elect the 25 members of the Landtag, Liechtenstein’s unicameral parliament.
Political Context
Liechtenstein is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. As the NGO Freedom House notes, “Liechtenstein has one of the most politically powerful hereditary monarchies in Europe. In a 2003 constitutional referendum, voters granted significantly more power to the prince.” The prince appoints the government and can veto legislation.
A conservative coalition of the Progressive Citizens’ Party (FBF) and the Patriotic Union (VU) has governed Liechtenstein since World War II. Following the February 2021 elections, the coalition will remain the same. The two opposition parties currently in the Landtag are The Independents, a right-wing populist party, and the social democratic/green Free List.
Geopolitical Context
Liechtenstein, situated in between Austria and Switzerland, is a principality that came into existence during the Habsburg Empire and has maintained its independence since then. The country has become a tax haven, with more companies than citizens. Although not a member of the European Union, it is part of the European Economic Area.
Curated News and Analysis
Borzou Daragahi, The Independent (February 9, 2021): Liechtenstein’s women only got the vote in 1984. Now the country could get its first female prime minister
Euronews/AFP (February 8, 2021): Liechtenstein election: Just 23 ballots separate two biggest parties that will now form coalition
Seán Williams, 1843 Magazine (January 16, 2019): Liechtenstein, the magic princedom
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content, and their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
Updated February 13, 2021
Liechtenstein Parliamentary Elections: February 7, 2021
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Last Updated: February 14, 2021 by 21votes
Photo: Vaduz Castle, the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Michael Gredenberg (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://bit.ly/2HLWqZN
Freedom House Rating
Free
Government Type
Constitutional Monarchy
Population
39,000
Parliamentary Elections
February 7, 2021
Local Elections
March/April 2023 (due)
Local Elections
March 24 and April 14, 2019
Parliamentary Elections
February 5, 2017
Liechtenstein has scheduled parliamentary elections for February 7, 2021. Voters will elect the 25 members of the Landtag, Liechtenstein’s unicameral parliament.
Political Context
Liechtenstein is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. As the NGO Freedom House notes, “Liechtenstein has one of the most politically powerful hereditary monarchies in Europe. In a 2003 constitutional referendum, voters granted significantly more power to the prince.” The prince appoints the government and can veto legislation.
A conservative coalition of the Progressive Citizens’ Party (FBF) and the Patriotic Union (VU) has governed Liechtenstein since World War II. Following the February 2021 elections, the coalition will remain the same. The two opposition parties currently in the Landtag are The Independents, a right-wing populist party, and the social democratic/green Free List.
Geopolitical Context
Liechtenstein, situated in between Austria and Switzerland, is a principality that came into existence during the Habsburg Empire and has maintained its independence since then. The country has become a tax haven, with more companies than citizens. Although not a member of the European Union, it is part of the European Economic Area.
Curated News and Analysis
Borzou Daragahi, The Independent (February 9, 2021): Liechtenstein’s women only got the vote in 1984. Now the country could get its first female prime minister
Euronews/AFP (February 8, 2021): Liechtenstein election: Just 23 ballots separate two biggest parties that will now form coalition
Seán Williams, 1843 Magazine (January 16, 2019): Liechtenstein, the magic princedom
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content, and their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
Updated February 13, 2021
Category: Overview Tags: Liechtenstein