Liechtenstein Parliamentary Elections: February 7, 2021


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

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Updated February 13, 2021

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