1936 Liechtenstein general election
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3 February 1936 (first round)
16 February 1936 (second round) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 15 seats in the Landtag 8 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 95.51% ( 2.92pp) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 3 and 16 February 1936 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag.[1] The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won eleven seats and retained its majority in the Landtag, while 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. Voter turnout was 95.5%.
The election campaign was marked by attacks and accusations by both parties. 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 the new electoral system in 1939.
Background
[edit]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 now directly represented in the Landtag.[2] The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won a majority of thirteen seats, while the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) won two.[3] The majority government under the leadership of Josef Hoop remained.[4]
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 Liechtenstein citizens sympathetic to Germany to attempt to unsuccessfully kidnap the two men and forcefully extradite them to Germany, which resulted in the deaths of Alfred and his wife Gertrud.[5] 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.[6]
A new political party, the Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD), was founded in 1933. The party was initially founded under an ideology of an authoritarian corporate state similar to that of Austria under Engelbert Dollfuss, but it quickly moved towards that of Nazism.[7] 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.[8] Motivated by a desire to unite the opposition prior to the 1936 elections, the two parties merged to form the Patriotic Union (VU) on 5 January 1936.[8][9] The LHD, despite being the smaller of the two parties, disproportionately dominated the new party; LHD leader Otto Schaedler becoming party president, and prominent LHD member Alois Vogt becoming party secretary.[9]
A by-election was held on 3 February 1935 in Triesenberg following the resignation of Wilhelm Beck of the VP.[10] The result was a victory for Johann Beck of the FBP.[11]
Electoral system
[edit]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 larger than 300 (all except for Planken).[12] The remaining five members were elected via a national vote using a majority system, wherein the five candidates with the most votes were elected.[12][13] Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.[14][15]
Campaign
[edit]
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, and resulted in complaints of "slander" and "incitement" on both sides.[16]
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.[17] 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" in the VU, accusing it of seeking to introduce a corporatist Ständestaat and "antisemitism in the style of Der Stürmer", a Nazi newspaper.[18] In particular, the Vaterland's openly antisemitic editor, Carl Freiherr von Vogelsang,[19] was particularly attacked by the FBP and was referred to as a "vile political agitator".[20]
Conversely, the VU fiercely criticized the FBP, focusing on poor economic conditions and rising unemployment. The VU continued to advocate for the introduction of proportional representation. In addition, the party 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 various groups such as workers, farmers, and businesses, lowering interest rates, and distributing work more justly, all without cutting spending in other areas.[17] During the campaign, the VU focused particularly on getting Schaedler elected in the national vote, thus neglecting their other candidates.[21]
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 (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.[22]
Results
[edit]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.[13] Voter turnout was 95.5%.[23]
 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Municipal | National | Total seats | +/– | |||||
| Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | ||||
| Progressive Citizens' Party | 1,303 | 59.25 | 7 | 6,432 | 52.23 | 4 | 11 | –2 | |
| Patriotic Union | 896 | 40.75 | 3 | 5,883 | 47.77 | 1 | 4 | +2 | |
| Total | 2,199 | 100.00 | 10 | 12,315 | 100.00 | 5 | 15 | – | |
| Total votes | 2,510 | – | |||||||
| Registered voters/turnout | 2,628 | 95.51 | |||||||
| Source: Vogt[13] | |||||||||
Municipal vote
[edit]| Municipality | Party | Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balzers | Patriotic Union | Basil Vogt | 218 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Georg Vogt | 148 | ||
| Eschen | Progressive Citizens' Party | Franz Josef Marxer | 158 | |
| Patriotic Union | — | — | ||
| Gamprin | Progressive Citizens' Party | Johann Georg Hasler | 51 | |
| Patriotic Union | Josef Marxer | 39 | ||
| Mauren | Progressive Citizens' Party | Emil Batliner | 168 | |
| Patriotic Union | — | — | ||
| Ruggell | Progressive Citizens' Party | Franz Xaver Hoop | 86 | |
| Patriotic Union | Fridolin Spalt | 50 | ||
| Schaan | Progressive Citizens' Party | Ferdinand Risch | 239 | |
| Patriotic Union | Josef Schierscher | 88 | ||
| Schellenberg | Progressive Citizens' Party | Philipp Elkuch | 51 | |
| Patriotic Union | Alfons Goop | 22 | ||
| Triesen | Patriotic Union | Ferdinand Heidegger | 156 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Adolf Frommelt | 92 | ||
| Triesenberg | Patriotic Union | Josef Beck | 175 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Johann Beck | 130 | ||
| Vaduz | Progressive Citizens' Party | Ludwig Ospelt | 180 | |
| Patriotic Union | Rudolf Amann | 148 | ||
| Source: Vogt[13] | ||||
National vote
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Johann Beck | 1,361 | |
| Patriotic Union | Otto Schaedler | 1,348 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Georg Vogt | 1,306 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Peter Büchel | 1,258 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Anton Frommelt | 1,255 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Lorenz Schierscher | 1,252 | |
| Patriotic Union | Rudolf Matt | 1,173 | |
| Patriotic Union | Gottfried Hilti | 1,142 | |
| Patriotic Union | Heinrich Andreas Brunhart | 1,122 | |
| Patriotic Union | Wendelin Beck | 1,098 | |
| Source: Vogt[13] | |||
Aftermath
[edit]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 additional 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 Vaduz. The VU formally accepted the result of the election in the first session of the Landtag.[24]
The VU had received nearly 48% of the second-round national vote, but only won four seats; the party would have won six or seven seats under a proportional system.[25] Upon the opening of the newly elected Landtag, the VU demanded voluntary proportional representation from the FBP by having various 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.[26] The new government was elected on 28 February.[27]
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.[25][28]
June by-election
[edit]A by-election was held on 14 June in Triesenberg following the death of Josef Beck in an accident on 17 May.[13][29] The result was a victory for Wendelin Beck of the VU.[13]
| Municipality | Party | Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triesenberg | Patriotic Union | Wendelin Beck | 190 | |
| Progressive Citizens' Party | Josef Bühler | 98 | ||
| Source: Vogt[13] | ||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1164.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 318–319.
- ↑ Vogt 1987, p. 208.
- ↑ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" [Members of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein 1862–2021] (PDF). Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ↑ "Rotter-Entführung" [Rotter kidnapping]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 55–59.
- ↑ Biedermann, Klaus; Geiger, Märten; Ospelt-Geiger, Barbara (31 December 2011). "Liechtensteiner Heimatdienst (LHD)" [Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD)]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- 1 2 Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Nationale Opposition" [National opposition]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- 1 2 Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Vaterländische Union (VU)" [Patriotic Union (VU)]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ↑ "Bekanntmachung" [Official Notice.]. Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 26 January 1935. p. 4. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Gemeinde-Landtagswahl in Triesenberg" [Municipal and Landtag Election in Triesenberg.]. Liechtensteiner Nachrichten (in German). 6 February 1935. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- 1 2 Marxer, Wilfried; Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Wahlsysteme" [Electoral systems]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 10 July 2026. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Vogt 1987, p. 209.
- ↑ Marxer, Wilfried; Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Stimm- und Wahlrecht" [Right to vote and right to stand for election]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 25 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Frick, Julia (31 December 2011). "Frauenstimm- und -wahlrecht" [Women's suffrage and the right to vote]. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 1 August 2026. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 431–432.
- 1 2 Geiger 1997, p. 431.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, p. 432.
- ↑ Schremser, Jürgen (31 December 2011). "Vogelsang, Carl Freiherr von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 432–433.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 434–435.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, p. 433.
- ↑ Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1182.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, p. 435.
- 1 2 Geiger 1997, p. 434.
- ↑ Geiger 1997, pp. 437–438.
- ↑ "Eröffnungssitzung des Landtages vom 28. Februar 1936" [Opening session of the Landtag on February 28, 1936]. Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 3 March 1936. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ "Parteien in Liechtenstein 1921–1943" [Parties in Liechtenstein 1921–1943]. Fürst und Volk: Staatskunde von Liechtenstein (in German). 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ↑ Stahl, Oliver (31 December 2011). "Beck, Josef (1877–1936)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
Bibliography
[edit]- Nohlen, Dieter; Stöver, Philip (2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook. Nomos. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
- Geiger, Peter (1997). Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 [Liechtenstein in the 1930s 1928–1939] (in German). Vol. 1. Zürich: Liechtenstein Institute, Chronos Verlag. ISBN 3-906393-28-3.
- Vogt, Paul (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag [125 Years of the State Parliament] (in German). Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
