1962 Liechtenstein general election

none August 2026 August 2026 Liechtenstein 1958 1966 25 March 1962 1962 Liechtenstein general election All 15 seats in the Landtag 8 94.65% ( 1.79pp) Progressive Citizens' Party Alexander Frick 47.18 8 9 Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein) Otto Schaedler 42.73 7 6 Prime Minister Alexander Frick Progressive Citizens' Party Alexander Frick Progressive Citizens' Party 1962 Liechtenstein election map.svg Results by constituency 1937 A map of Liechtenstein divided by electoral district. The two respective districts of Oberland and Unterland are coloured by the respective winner of the most seats in the district, with blue denoting the Progressive Citizens' Party and red for the Patriotic Union. Similarly, the individual seat distribution in each district is denoted within them. General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 25 March 1962 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1165 The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won eight seats and retained its majority, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven. Voter turnout was 94.7%. The election saw a new political party, the Christian Social Party, contest the election for the first time, but it failed to reach the 18% electoral threshold to win seats in the Landtag. Following the election, the coalition government led by prime minister Alexander Frick remained, but he would resign in July and be succeeded by Gerard Batliner. Background 1958 Liechtenstein general electionIn the 1958 elections the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won nine seats and retained its majority, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won six.Vogt 1987 216–217 The coalition government under the leadership of prime minister Alexander Frick 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 Members of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein 1862–2021Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer 31 December 2011 Koalition Coalition https://historisches-lexikon.li/Koalition live https://web.archive.org/web/20260801223746/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Koalition 1 August 2026 28 August 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de The elections had been called early due to the VU filing an electoral complaint following the 1957 elections. The FBP and VU, at the request of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein, agreed to amended the constitution to make it so that the Liechtenstein state court would decide on electoral complaints instead of the Landtag. As per the agreement, fresh elections were also called.Brunhart 1986 49Vogt 1987 216 Frick's fourth term in office oversaw the introduction home ownership program in 1958, and disability insurance in 1959. It also saw the Vaduz Evening Technical College in 1961 and taxation reform the same year, aimed at providing social balance and relief for families.Frommelt Fabian 31 December 2011 Frick, Alexander https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frick,_Alexander?marker=Alexander+Frick live https://web.archive.org/web/20251031093831/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frick,_Alexander?marker=Alexander+Frick 31 October 2025 18 May 2023 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de In 1959 President of the Landtag, Josef Hoop of the FBP, died in office and was succeeded by Martin Risch on 28 March 1960.29 March 1960 Der neue Präsident des Landtages The new President of the State Parliament https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1960-03-29_19600329/257/-/ 13 October 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de Electoral system The 15 members of the Landtag were elected by open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 9 seats and Unterland with 6 seats.Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer Frommelt Fabian 31 December 2011 Wahlsysteme Electoral systems https://historisches-lexikon.li/Wahlsysteme?marker=Gemeindewahlen 17 November 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de 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.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1159 The electoral threshold to win a seat is 18%. 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 Government 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 The elections used a majority clause, where the party with the most votes would automatically win the most seats. Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer Frommelt Fabian 31 December 2011 Stimm- und Wahlrecht Right to vote and right to stand for election https://historisches-lexikon.li/Stimm-_und_Wahlrecht 28 July 2026 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein deFrick Julia 31 December 2011 Frauenstimm- und -wahlrecht Women's suffrage and the right to vote https://historisches-lexikon.li/Frauenstimm-_und_-wahlrecht 7 December 2024 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Campaign thumb|Alexander Frick, pictured in 1960|alt=A photograph of Alexander Frick standing while on the telephone in 1960 Both the FBP and VU campaigned on their respective party newspapers, the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt and Liechtensteiner Vaterland.22 March 1962 Das Programm des Fortschrittes The programme of progress https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1962-03-22_19620322/287/-/ 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 3 de22 March 1962 Arbeitsprogramm der Vaterländischen Union Work programme of the Patriotic Union https://www.vaterland.li/epaper/liechtensteiner-vaterland-1962-03-22-epa-5720/ subscription 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Vaterland 1 de The FBP highlighted its achievements in introducing the 1961 tax reform and providing state grants for apprentices via a funding law. At the same time, the party called for further expansion of the Vaduz Evening Technical College, expansion of education including vocational education, and tax relief for working students.21 March 1962 Für unsere Jugend und ihre Zukunft For our youth and their future https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1962-03-21_19620321/279/-/ 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de The FBP's programme also included policies such as encouraging home ownership via interest free loans and funds to make building plots cheaper, in addition to increasing pensions and credit support for small businesses and farmers. The party's candidate for prime minister was the incumbent Frick.22 March 1962 Im Zeichen der Einheit und der Stärke In the spirit of unity and strength https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000476564_1962-03-22_19620322/285/-/ 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de Conversely, the VU downplayed the FBP's achievements in office, claiming that Liechtenstein's economic growth was due to cooperation from the population and favourable circumstances in the global economy.24 March 1962 "Das alles haben wir geschaffen" We have created all that https://www.vaterland.li/epaper/liechtensteiner-vaterland-1962-03-24-epa-5721/?page=p47259 subscription 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Vaterland 2 de During campaigning, the VU called for administration reform, which included giving greater responsibilities to civil servants and less work load to the government councillors.Vogt Alois Alois Vogt 21 March 1962 Das Aktionsprogramm der Vaterländische Union The action programme of the Patriotic Union https://www.vaterland.li/epaper/liechtensteiner-vaterland-1962-03-21-epa-5719/ subscription 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Vaterland 1 de The party's programme also included policies such as the abolition of income tax for apprentices, expanding health insurance, universal dental care, promoting home ownership, and adjusting pensions to Swiss levels. The Volksblatt speculated that incumbent deputy prime minister, Josef Büchel, was the VU's candidate for prime minister should it have won the election. A new political party, the Christian Social Party (CSP), was founded ahead of the 1962 elections. For unknown reasons, the party became known as the "greens". The CSP sought to challenge the political dominance of the FBP and VU;Marxer Milic Rochat 2024 400 its programme included policies such as expansion of education, providing scholarships, and wages adjusted to the cost of living. Candidates Political parties in Liechtenstein require the support of 30 voters from a constituency to be eligible to nominate a candidate list in it.21 January 1953 Bekanntmachung Notice https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/!image/000469834_1953-01-21_19530121/35/-/ 4 August 2026 Liechtensteiner Vaterland 1 de A total of 39 candidates contested the election.27 March 1962 Wahlsieg der Fortschrittlichen Bürgerpartei Election Victory for the Progressive Citizens' Party https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1962-03-27_19620327/305/LOG_0051/ 5 September 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de OberlandFBPVUCSP Martin Risch Hans Gassner Meinrad Ospelt Stefan Wachter Franz Josef Schurte Josef Büchel Fidel Brunhart Marcellin Kindle Quido Wolf Roman Gassner Otto Schaedler Johann Beck Alois Vogt Andreas Vogt Samuel Kindle Gustav Ospelt Hans Hilti Martin Büchel Hugo Büchel Bruno Vogt Tschol Ferdi Fidel Büchel Hermann FlorianUnterlandFBPVUCSP Ernst Büchel Leo Gerner Georg Oehri Alfons Büchel Josef Hoop Otto Kranz Franz Nägele Paul Oehri Alois Oehri Oswald Hasler Alois Hassler Martin Kind Kaiser Fritz Meier Hans Kranz Quido Wohlwend AloisSource: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt Results The FBP won eight seats, a decrease of one, and retained its majority in the Landtag, whereas the VU won seven, an increase of one.Vogt 1987 218–219 The CSP received 10.1% of the vote, but failed to reach the electoral threshold of 18% to win seats in the Landtag.Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer 31 December 2011 Christlich-soziale Partei (CSP) Christian Social Party (CSP) https://historisches-lexikon.li/Christlich-soziale_Partei_(CSP) 5 September 2026 Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein de Voter turnout was 94.65%.Nohlen Stöver 2010 1182File:Landtag liechtenstein 1945-1970.svg Progressive Citizens' Party 1599 8 –1 Patriotic Union 1448 7 +1 Christian Social Party 342 0 New 62 0 3646 VogtVogt 1987 218–219 A diagram of the seat destruction as a result of the election. It denotes eight for the FBP and seven for the VU respectively. By electoral district Electoral districtSeatsElectoratePartyElected membersSubstitutesVotes%Seats+/–Oberland92,458Progressive Citizens' Party*Martin Risch Hans Gassner Meinrad Ospelt Stefan Wachter Franz Josef Schurte*Josef Büchel Fidel Brunhart Marzellin Kindle Guido Wolf1,03845.650Patriotic Union*Roman Gassner Otto Schaedler Johann Beck Alois Vogt*Andreas Vogt Samuel Kindle Gustav Ospelt Hans Hilti1,02344.940Christian Social Party––2179.50NewUnterland61,188Progressive Citizens' Party*Ernst Büchel Leo Gerner Georg Oehri*Alfons Büchel Otto Kranz56150.53 1Patriotic Union*Franz Nägele Paul Oehri Alois Oehri*Oswald Hasler Alois Hassler Martin Kind42538.33 1Christian Social Party––12511.200Source: VogtVogt 1987 218–219 Aftermath alt=Gerard Batliner sitting at his desk|thumb|Gerard Batliner Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of Frick remained. However, Frick would resign in June, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by Gerard Batliner in July.Malin 2009 4 Martin Risch was re-elected as President of the Landtag upon the first session of the newly elected Landtag on 27 June 1962, with Alois Vogt of the VU as vice president.28 June 1962 Feierliche Eröffnung des Landtages mit Thronrede S.D. Fürst Franz Josef II. Ceremonial opening of the Landtag with the Speech from the Throne by His Serene Highness Prince Franz Josef II. https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000476564_1962-06-28_19620628/661/ 13 October 2026 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt 1 de The CSP filed an electoral complaint claiming that the party was entitled to one mandate in both the Oberland and Unterland electoral districts, and that the electoral threshold of 18% was unconstitutional. The Liechtenstein state court rejected the CSP's claim to seats in the Landtag, but deemed the electoral threshold unconstitutional and it was subsequently abolished.Marxer Milic Rochat 2024 400Vogt 1987 218 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 125 Years of the State Parliament Brunhart Arthur Arthur Brunhart https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000468232/1/LOG_0000/ 50 Jahre für Liechtenstein 1986 Vaterländische Union Vaduz de 50 Years for Liechtenstein Liechtenstein State Library Marxer Wilfried Wilfried Marxer Das politische System Liechtensteins Milic Thomas Rochat Philippe 2024 Liechtenstein-Institut Schriftenreihe des Liechtenstein-Instituts 1 Baden-Baden de The political system of Liechtenstein Parteien https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/ext-linst-c5-web-liechtenstein-institut.li-2019/6317/3437/7094/14_Parteien.pdf Malin Georg Georg Malin https://www.eliechtensteinensia.li/viewer/image/000000453_108/6/ Fürstlicher Justizrat Gerard Batliner 1928–2008 2009 Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein Vaduz de Princely Justice Councilor Gerard Batliner 1928–2008 Liechtenstein State Library Liechtenstein General Category:General elections in Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Category:Premiership of Alexander Frick