1928 Liechtenstein general election

none Liechtenstein April 1926 15 July 1928 (first round)29 July 1928 (second round) 19321930 (by-elections) All 15 seats in the Landtag 8 93.09% ( 0.38pp) Christian-Social People's Party (Liechtenstein) Wilhelm Beck 9 4 Progressive Citizens' Party Josef Hoop 6 11 Prime Minister Gustav Schädler Christian-Social People's Party (Liechtenstein) Josef Hoop Progressive Citizens' Party 1921 1928 Liechtenstein election map.svg Results by constituency 54.75 45.25 General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 15 and 29 July 1928 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1164 Early elections had been called due to Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, forcing the resignation of the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) led government of prime minister Gustav Schädler due to an embezzlement scandal. The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won a majority of eleven seats, whereas the VP won four. Voter turnout was 93.1%. Following the elections, Josef Hoop of the FBP became prime minister. The new government was sworn in on 4 August 1928. The election was followed by 42 consecutive years of FBP-led governments, only ending in the 1970 elections. Background April 1926 Liechtenstein general election 1928 Liechtenstein embezzlement scandalIn the April 1926 elections, called early after the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) refused to take their seats in the Landtag, the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) won a majority of nine seats, while the FBP won six.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1164Geiger 1997 66 As a result, the VP majority government under the leadership of Gustav Schädler remained.Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021 https://www.regierung.li/files/attachments/Regierungsmitglieder-1862-2021-stand-0421.pdf?t=638338392447228367 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240216125957/https://www.regierung.li/files/attachments/Regierungsmitglieder-1862-2021-stand-0421.pdf?t=638338392447228367 16 February 2024 15 February 2024 www.regierung.li de During the government's term, the 1927 Liechtenstein flood took place, destroying large portions of Schaan, Gamprin and Ruggell, reaching as far as Tosters, Austria, resulting in the deaths of two people and costing Liechtenstein 3.5 million Swiss francs in repairs, severely setting back the country's financial development.Geiger 1997 84–85Weiss Alfred Stefan 31 December 2011 Überschwemmungen https://historisches-lexikon.li/%C3%9Cberschwemmungen 10 November 2025 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 6 November 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251106201254/https://historisches-lexikon.li/%C3%9Cberschwemmungen live In June 1928 leading members of the VP were arrested for embezzling funds from the National Bank of Liechtenstein for various speculative transactions.Büchel Donat 31 December 2011 Sparkassaskandal https://historisches-lexikon.li/Sparkassaskandal 17 May 2023 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 15 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230815103617/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Sparkassaskandal live Once the scandal came to light, the opposition FBP demanded an investigation, the resignation of Schädler's government, and that new elections to be held.Geiger 1997 96 Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, who blamed the VP for the scandal, refused to meet Schädler in Vienna. Following a meeting with FBP representatives instead, the prince pressured Schädler's government to resign, which it did on 15 June. Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein was placed as acting prime minister, and fresh elections were called.Geiger 1997 97–98 Despite the VP Landtag members initially refusing to accept the resignation, believing it to be unconstitutional, Johann II defended the dismissal as necessary for Liechtenstein's security.Geiger 1997 98 Campaign Both the VP and FBP campaigned primarily on their respective party newspapers − the Liechtensteiner Nachrichten and Liechtensteiner Volksblatt.12 July 1928 Regierungschef Gustav — Lüge oder Unwahrheit. Head of Government Gustav — Lie or Untruth https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1928-07-12_19280712/428/-/ 3 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 2 de30 June 1928 Ausländische Presse-Urteile. Opinions from the foreign press. https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476556_1928-06-30_19280630/440/#topDocAnchor 3 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Nachrichten 1–2 de The FBP blamed the VP for poor economic conditions in Liechtenstein and for the embezzlement scandal; the party called for those complicit in the scandal to pay for damages.3 July 1928 Das System der Volksparteiführer als Ursache der heutigen Katastrophe bei der Sparkasse. The system of "people's party" leaders as the cause of the current catastrophe at the savings bank. https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1928-07-03_19280703/404/-/ 3 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 2 de In addition, the FBP accused Schädler and Wilhelm Beck, President of the Landtag, of gross negligence in regards to the national bank and the embezzlement scandal.23 June 1928 Dr. W. Beck ist von Bürgerparteiseite aus vor 14 Monaten gewarnt worden! Dr. W. Beck Was Warned by the Citizens' Party 14 Months Ago! https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1928-06-23_19280623/380/-/ 3 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 2 de Conversely, the VP defended Schädler's record as prime minister, denied him and Beck having any involvement in the scandal, and considered Schädler's dismissal unjustified. In addition, the VP accused the FBP of being complicit in the scandal, particularly government councillor Peter Büchel.Büchel Donat 31 December 2011 Büchel, Peter (1872–1958) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Büchel,_Peter_%281872–1958%29 25 September 2023 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de The VP criticized the FBP for exploiting the scandal in a way that was against Liechtenstein's interests, and accused the party of providing Johann II false information.12 July 2026 Kampfschaft Fighting Spirit https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476556_1928-07-12_19280712/476/-/ 3 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Nachrichten 1 de Electoral system The 15 members of the Landtag were elected via a majority system from two constituencies, Oberland with 9 seats and Unterland with 6 seats. Candidates that received the majority of votes in a constituency were elected. If a constituency did not receive enough elected candidates, then a second round would be held.Marxer Wilfried Frommelt Fabian 31 December 2011 Wahlsysteme https://historisches-lexikon.li/Wahlsysteme?marker=Gemeindewahlen 17 November 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Wilfried Marxer Landtag members sit for a four-year term.Vogt Paul Paul Vogt (historian) 31 December 2011 Landtag State parliament https://historisches-lexikon.li/Landtag 8 September 2026 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Once formed, the Landtag elects the prime minister and two government councillors who govern in a cabinet. The prime minister is appointed for a six-year term, while government councillors sit a four-year term.Vogt Paul Paul Vogt (historian) 31 December 2011 Regierung https://historisches-lexikon.li/Regierung live https://web.archive.org/web/20230721135630/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Regierung 21 July 2023 13 January 2025 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Government Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer Frommelt Fabian 31 December 2011 Stimm- und Wahlrecht https://historisches-lexikon.li/Stimm-_und_Wahlrecht 28 July 2026 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein deFrick Julia 31 December 2011 Frauenstimm- und -wahlrecht https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frauenstimm-_und_-wahlrecht 7 December 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Candidates A total of 30 candidates were presented for the election.Vogt 1987 205 OberlandFBPVP Ferdinand Risch Georg Vogt Anton Frommelt Heinrich Brunhart Oswald Walser Josef Negele Fritz Walser Emil Walch Ludwig Marxer Josef Gassner Basil Vogt Gustav Ospelt Franz Amann Alois Jehle Baptist Quaderer Emil Bargetze Adolf FrommeltUnterlandFBPVP Peter Büchel Emil Batliner Franz Josef Marxer (politician, born 1871) Franz Josef Marxer de Franz Josef Marxer Wilhelm Büchel Franz Xaver Hoop Karl Kaiser Adolf Goop Georg Jäger Felix Büchel Wilhelm Marxer Albrecht Marxer Franz Josef HaslerSource: VogtVogt 1987 205 Results The FBP won a majority of eleven seats, a five seat increase from their April 1926 performance, whereas the VP won four at a five seat decrease. Voter turnout was 93.1%.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1182Progressive Citizens' Party 8890 11 199 0 11 +5 Christian-Social People's Party 6995 3 518 1 4 –5 0 2101 2257 Nohlen & Stöver, VogtVogt 1987 206–207 File:Liechtenstein Landtag 1928.svg 717 By electoral district First round Electoral districtSeatsPartyElected membersVotesSeatswon+/–Oberland9Progressive Citizens' Party*Heinrich Brunhart Anton Frommelt Ferdinand Risch Georg Vogt Oswald Walser62505 5Christian-Social People's Party*Josef Gassner Gustav Ospelt Basil Vogt54903 5Unterland6Progressive Citizens' Party*Emil Batliner Peter Büchel Wilhelm Büchel Franz Xaver Hoop Karl Kaiser Franz Josef Marxer (politician, born 1871) Franz Josef Marxer de Franz Josef Marxer264060Christian-Social People's Party–150500Source: VogtVogt 1987 206–207 Second round Franz Amann and Adolf Frommelt, both belonging to the VP, tied for 689 votes. As only one candidate could progress to the second round, it was put up to lottery to decide which candidate would be selected, which ultimately went in favour of Amann.Vogt 1987 207 Electoral districtSeatsPartySeatswonElected membersVotesOberland1Christian-Social People's Party1Franz Amann518Progressive Citizens' Party0–199Source: VogtVogt 1987 207 Aftermath thumb|The government of Josef Hoop In the opening session of the new Landtag, the VP demanded voluntary proportional representation from the FBP, including having a VP member as deputy prime minister and one government councillor. This former was rejected by the FBP however, as following the January and April 1926 elections, the party had a larger seat share and only received one government councillor, and thus the FBP ultimately agreed to appoint one VP member to government.Geiger 1997 101 However, motivated by a desire to not remain in the opposition for long, the VP renounced participation in government.Geiger 1997 305–306 Despite the FBP's interest in Prince Alfred remaining as prime minister, he declined the position. As such, Ludwig Marxer recommended his friend Josef Hoop who was working in St. Gallen for the position; Hoop was chosen primarily due to him being largely uninvolved in previous political affairs.Geiger 1997 101 The new government was elected on 4 August 1936, with Marxer himself becoming deputy prime minister.7 August 1928 Eröffnungsfeier des Landtages am Samstag Opening ceremony of the state parliament on Saturday https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1928/491/LOG_0091/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250321144757/https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1928/491/LOG_0091/ 21 March 2025 14 November 2024 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt de The VP suffered a significant defeat, the scandal and the election together are considered the fall of the party.Geiger 1997 100 It is also considered the demise of Beck as a national figure, as he was partially blamed for the scandal as chairman of the bank's board of directors;Geiger 1997 100Geiger 1997 96 though he continued to lead the party, the membership largely became aimless. There was a myth that the VP lost votes as seasonal workers were unable to participate in the election due to being abroad, but this is unsupported by voting patterns from similar elections.Geiger 1997 100 The election was followed by 42 consecutive years of FBP-led governments, only ending in the 1970 elections with the party's defeat to the VP's successor party Patriotic Union.Marxer Wilfred 31 December 2011 Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei (FBP) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Fortschrittliche_B%C3%BCrgerpartei_(FBP)?marker=FBP 4 December 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein deMarxer Wilfried 31 December 2011 Patriotic Union (VU) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vaterl%C3%A4ndische_Union_%28VU%29 14 May 2023 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 18 November 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251118164708/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vaterl%C3%A4ndische_Union_%28VU%29 live References Bibliography Nohlen Dieter Dieter Nohlen Elections in Europe: A data handbook Stöver Philip 2010 Nomos 978-3-8329-5609-7 Vogt Paul Paul Vogt (historian) 125 Jahre Landtag 1987 Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Vaduz de Geiger Peter Peter Geiger Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 Liechtenstein Institute, Chronos Verlag 1997 3-906393-28-3 1 Zürich de Liechtenstein in the 1930s 1928–1939 Liechtenstein General Category:General elections in Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results Category:Premiership of Josef Hoop