1936 Liechtenstein general election

none August 2026 August 2026 Liechtenstein 1932 1939 3 February 1936 (first round)<br/ >16 February 1936 (second round) 1936 Liechtenstein general election List of members of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (1936–1939) All 15 seats in the Landtag 8 95.51% ( 2.92pp) Progressive Citizens' Party Josef Hoop 53.29 11 13 Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein) Otto Schaedler 46.71 4 2 200px Results by municipality and national vote. Blue denotes seats won by the FBP and red those won by the VU. Planken is grey as no municipal election took place there. Prime Minister Josef Hoop Progressive Citizens' Party Josef Hoop Progressive Citizens' Party 1921 A map of Liechtenstein divided by municipality. The municipalities are coloured for the respective winner of the municipal vote of the election, with blue denoting the Progressive Citizens' Party and red for the Patriotic Union. Similarly, the result of the five-seat national vote is denoted in the corner. List of members of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (1932–1936) General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 3 and 16 February 1936 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1164 The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won eleven seats and retained its majority in the Landtag. The Patriotic Union (VU), which had been founded the previous month as a merger of the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) and Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD), won four seats. Voter turnout was 95.5%. The election campaign was marked by attacks and accusations by both parties, including that of antisemitism and connections to Nazi Germany. Following the elections, the majority government led by prime minister Josef Hoop remained. The VU had received around 48% of the vote but won only four seats, meaning that previous calls for the introduction of proportional representation were heightened, leading to implementation of a new electoral system in 1939. Background 1932 Liechtenstein general election The 1932 elections had been held under a new electoral system that replaced the majority system with direct mandates from Liechtenstein's municipalities, intended to ensure that the interests of the municipalities were directly represented in the Landtag.Geiger 1997a 318–319 The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won a majority of thirteen seats, and the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) won two.Vogt 1987 208 The majority government under the leadership of prime minister Josef Hoop remained, which had been in power since 1928.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 Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Members of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein 1862–2021 Hoop's second term in office was marked by the Rotter kidnapping, when Liechtenstein became the target of press attacks from Nazi Germany for naturalizing German-Jewish theatre managers Fritz and Alfred Rotter. The attacks caused four Liechtensteiner Nazis to unsuccessfully attempt to kidnap the two men and forcefully extradite them to Germany, which resulted in the deaths of Alfred and his wife Gertrud.16 August 2021 Rotter-Entführung https://historisches-lexikon.li/Rotter-Entf%C3%BChrung 23 March 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 7 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230407125505/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Rotter-Entf%C3%BChrung live Rotter kidnapping Afterwards, Hoop's government successfully negotiated the end of German press attacks by agreeing to end naturalizations in Liechtenstein and releasing the perpetrators from prison early.Geiger 1997b 55–59 A new political party, the Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD), was founded in 1933. The party initially supported the creation of an authoritarian corporatist state similar to that of Austria under Engelbert Dollfuss, but it quickly moved towards that of Nazism.Biedermann Klaus Geiger Märten Ospelt-Geiger Barbara 31 December 2011 Liechtensteiner Heimatdienst (LHD) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtensteiner_Heimatdienst_(LHD) 18 October 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 19 December 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251219133256/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtensteiner_Heimatdienst_(LHD) live Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD) From 1935, the LHD and VP formed an alliance known as the National Opposition designed to push for the introduction of proportional representation, but the subsequent referendum was narrowly rejected by voters.Marxer Wilfried 31 December 2011 Nationale Opposition https://historisches-lexikon.li/Nationale_Opposition 13 August 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 23 January 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250123054644/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Nationale_Opposition live Wilfried Marxer National opposition Motivated by a desire to unite the opposition before the 1936 elections, the two parties merged to form the Patriotic Union (VU) on 5 January 1936.Geiger 1997a 425–426Marxer Wilfried 31 December 2011 Vaterländische Union (VU) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vaterl%C3%A4ndische_Union_(VU) 18 October 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 22 January 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250122222354/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vaterl%C3%A4ndische_Union_%28VU%29 live Wilfried Marxer Patriotic Union (VU) The LHD, despite being the smaller of the two parties, disproportionately dominated the new party; LHD leader Otto Schaedler became party president and prominent LHD member Alois Vogt became party secretary of the VU. A by-election was held on 3 February 1935 in Triesenberg following the resignation of Wilhelm Beck of the VP.26 January 1935 Bekanntmachung. Official Notice. https://web.archive.org/web/20260806204637/https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1935-01-26_19350126/64/-/ 6 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 4 de https://web.archive.org/web/20260806204336/https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476556_1935-02-06_19350206/41/-/ 6 August 2026 live The result was a victory for Johann Beck of the FBP.6 February 1935 Gemeinde-Landtagswahl in Triesenberg. Municipal and Landtag Election in Triesenberg. https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476556_1935-02-06_19350206/41/-/ 6 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Nachrichten 1 de https://web.archive.org/web/20260806204336/https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476556_1935-02-06_19350206/41/-/ 6 August 2026 live Electoral system Ten members of the Landtag (parliament) were elected via direct mandates for one member representing each of Liechtenstein's eleven municipalities with a population equal to or greater than 300 (all except for Planken).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 Electoral systems https://web.archive.org/web/20260710012731/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Wahlsysteme 10 July 2026 live The remaining five members were elected via a national vote using a majority system, wherein the five candidates with the most votes were elected.Vogt 1987 209 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, and government councillors sit for 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 de Right to vote and right to stand for election https://web.archive.org/web/20260725082522/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Stimm-_und_Wahlrecht 25 July 2026 liveFrick Julia 31 December 2011 Frauenstimm- und -wahlrecht https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frauenstimm-_und_-wahlrecht 7 December 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Women's suffrage and the right to vote https://web.archive.org/web/20260801042820/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frauenstimm-_und_-wahlrecht 1 August 2026 live Campaign thumb|Josef Hoop (left) and Otto Schaedler (right)|alt=Josef Hoop and Otto Schaedler stand parallel to the other on the left and right respectively. Both the FBP and VU campaigned primarily in their respective party newspapers, the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt and the newly formed Liechtensteiner Vaterland. The election campaign was marked by polemics and accusations by both parties, resulting in complaints of "slander" and "incitement" on both sides.Geiger 1997a 431–432 The economy was a major issue of the election; the FBP campaigned on the achievements of Hoop's government, highlighting the building of asphalt roads, the beginning of construction of the Liechtenstein inland canal, expansion of public welfare, and subsidies for agriculture and business.Geiger 1997a 431 It also attacked the VU for the former VP's failure in the 1928 embezzlement scandal, arguing that the VU could not be trusted with Liechtenstein's finances again. Similarly, the FBP attacked the VU on the LHD's influence in the party, calling the LHD the "root of evil" within the VU. The FBP accused it of seeking to introduce a corporatist de Ständestaat, similar to that in Austria under Dollfuss, and "antisemitism in the style of Der Stürmer", a Nazi newspaper.Geiger 1997a 432 In particular, the Vaterland's openly antisemitic editor, Carl Freiherr von Vogelsang,Schremser Jürgen 31 December 2011 Vogelsang, Carl Freiherr von https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vogelsang,_Carl_Freiherr_von live https://web.archive.org/web/20250602210150/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vogelsang,_Carl_Freiherr_von 2 June 2025 20 July 2023 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de was particularly attacked by the FBP and was referred to as a "vile political agitator".Geiger 1997a 432–433 The VU fiercely criticized the FBP, focusing on poor economic conditions and rising unemployment, and continued to advocate for the introduction of proportional representation. The party also accused the FBP of distributing welfare and jobs unfairly, and of supporting large retail stores such as Migros instead of domestic businesses. The VU campaigned vaguely on supporting groups such as workers, farmers, and businesses, as well as lowering interest rates, and distributing work more justly, all without cutting spending in other areas.Geiger 1997a 431 During the campaign, the VU focused particularly on getting Schaedler elected in the national vote, thus neglecting their other candidates.Geiger 1997a 434–435 The Liechtenstein Workers' Association asked both parties to place its president, Franz Hemmerle, as a candidate on their party lists. Similarly, the chamber of commerce (de Gewerbeverband) asked both parties to include one or two business representatives on their candidate lists. The VU agreed to both proposals in principle, but as the FBP refused both, neither was carried out.Geiger 1997a 433 Results List of members of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (1936–1939) The FBP won eleven seats, a two-seat decrease from their 1932 performance, and retained its majority in the Landtag. The VU won four, an increase of two from the previous VP.Vogt 1987 209 Voter turnout was 95.5%.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1182 Municipal National Progressive Citizens' Party 1303 7 6432 4 11 –2 Patriotic Union 896 3 5883 1 4 +2 2510 2628 VogtVogt 1987 209 File:Liechtenstein Landtag 1936.svg A diagram of the seat distribution as a result of the election. It denotes eleven for the FBP and four for the VU respectively. Municipal vote The election of the Landtag members in the municipalities took place on 3 February.Vogt 1987 209 MunicipalityPartyCandidateVotesBalzersPatriotic UnionBasil Vogt218Progressive Citizens' PartyGeorg Vogt148EschenProgressive Citizens' PartyFranz Josef Marxer (politician, born 1871) Franz Josef Marxer de Franz Josef Marxer158Patriotic Union——GamprinProgressive Citizens' PartyJohann Georg Hasler51Patriotic UnionJosef Marxer39MaurenProgressive Citizens' PartyEmil Batliner168Patriotic Union——RuggellProgressive Citizens' PartyFranz Xaver Hoop86Patriotic UnionFridolin Spalt50SchaanProgressive Citizens' PartyFerdinand Risch239Patriotic UnionJosef Schierscher88SchellenbergProgressive Citizens' PartyPhilipp Elkuch51Patriotic UnionAlfons Goop22TriesenPatriotic UnionFerdinand Heidegger156Progressive Citizens' PartyAdolf Frommelt92TriesenbergPatriotic UnionJosef Beck175Progressive Citizens' PartyJohann Beck130VaduzProgressive Citizens' PartyLudwig Ospelt180Patriotic UnionRudolf Amann148Source: VogtVogt 1987 209 National vote The national vote to elect the remaining five Landtag members took place on 16 February.Vogt 1987 209 PartyCandidateVotesProgressive Citizens' PartyJohann Beck1,361Patriotic UnionOtto Schaedler1,348Progressive Citizens' PartyGeorg Vogt1,306Progressive Citizens' PartyPeter Büchel1,258Progressive Citizens' PartyAnton Frommelt1,255Progressive Citizens' PartyLorenz Schierscher1,252Patriotic UnionRudolf Matt1,173Patriotic UnionGottfried Hilti1,142Patriotic UnionHeinrich Andreas Brunhart1,122Patriotic UnionWendelin Beck1,098Source: VogtVogt 1987 209 Aftermath Immediately following the election, president of the Landtag, Anton Frommelt of the FBP, appeared to have lost re-election, but a bipartisan recount gave him three more votes and won him the seat by a narrow margin. In response, the VU postulated that electoral fraud had taken place and stoked rumours of vote manipulation. VU leaders claimed to have calmed angry crowds in Triesenberg and Balzers, which had been prepared to march on the capital of Vaduz. The VU formally accepted the result of the election in the first session of the Landtag.Geiger 1997a 435 The VU had received nearly 47% of the second-round national vote, but only won four seats; the party would have won six or seven seats under a proportional system.Geiger 1997a 434 Upon the opening of the newly elected Landtag, the VU demanded voluntary proportional representation from the FBP by having several posts, including the vice president of the Landtag and one government councillor, be filled by the VU. Ultimately, as a peace gesture, the FBP agreed to elect Schaedler as vice president in return for "constructive cooperation". This broke from the previous tradition of the vice president being a member of the ruling party from the Unterland. The FBP also elected Alois Schädler to government and generally ensured near-equal representation for the VU in other committees and posts.Geiger 1997a 437–438 The new government was elected on 28 February, and Hoop remained as prime minister.3 March 1936 Eröffnungssitzung des Landtages vom 28. Februar 1936 https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1936-03-03_19360303/153/LOG_0000/ 30 May 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de Opening session of the Landtag on February 28, 1936 https://web.archive.org/web/20260806210522/https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1936-03-03_19360303/153/LOG_0000/ 6 August 2026 live After the election, the VU repeated its calls for the introduction of proportional representation and announced a new popular initiative for 1937. The party ultimately achieved proportional representation with the formation of a coalition government between the FBP and VU in March 1938, and proportional representation was formally introduced to Liechtenstein in 1939.2007 Parteien in Liechtenstein 1921–1943 https://www.fuerstundvolk.li/fuv/fuv.do?site=421174076f221000996d610c1957690b 15 May 2023 Fürst und Volk: Staatskunde von Liechtenstein de 16 November 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251116091657/https://www.fuerstundvolk.li/fuv/fuv.do?site=421174076f221000996d610c1957690b dead Parties in Liechtenstein 1921–1943Geiger 1997a 434 June by-election A by-election was held on 14 June in Triesenberg following the death of Josef Beck in an accident on 17 May.Vogt 1987 209Stahl Oliver 31 December 2011 Beck, Josef (1877–1936) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Beck,_Josef_(1877%E2%80%931936)?marker=Josef+Beck 3 January 2025 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de https://web.archive.org/web/20250117124145/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Beck,_Josef_(1877–1936)?marker=Josef+Beck 17 January 2025 live The result was a victory for Wendelin Beck of the VU.Vogt 1987 209 MunicipalityPartyCandidateVotesTriesenbergPatriotic UnionWendelin Beck190Progressive Citizens' PartyJosef Bühler98Source: VogtVogt 1987 209 See also 1936 Liechtenstein local elections References Bibliography Nohlen Dieter Dieter Nohlen Elections in Europe: A data handbook Stöver Philip 2010 Nomos 978-3-8329-5609-7 Geiger Peter Peter Geiger Krisenzeit: Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 Liechtenstein Institute, Chronos Verlag 1997a 3-906393-28-3 1 Zürich de Time of crisis: Liechtenstein in the 1930s 1928–1939 Geiger Peter Peter Geiger Krisenzeit: Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 Liechtenstein Institute, Chronos Verlag 1997b 3-906393-28-3 2 Zürich de Time of crisis: Liechtenstein in the 1930s 1928–1939 Vogt Paul Paul Vogt (historian) 125 Jahre Landtag 1987 Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Vaduz de 125 Years of the State Parliament Liechtenstein General Category:General elections in Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results Category:Premiership of Josef Hoop