The head of government of Liechtenstein (German: Regierungschef von Liechtenstein), known informally as the prime minister, is the chief executive of the Government of Liechtenstein and chairs the cabinet of Liechtenstein. They are appointed by the sovereign prince of Liechtenstein with the consent of the Landtag of Liechtenstein and are expected to command the confidence of both the prince and the Landtag. The appointed head of government is typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Landtag or a coalition of parties. The head of government cannot be a member of the Landtag at the same time, although they should meet the eligibility requirements for that office.[1]
.jpg)
- Top left: Michael Menzinger is considered the first governor of Liechtenstein.
- Top right: Leopold Freiherr von Imhof was governor during World War I.
- Bottom left: Josef Hoop was the longest-serving prime minister and held the office during World War II.
- Bottom right: Daniel Risch is the incumbent prime minister.
The position originated as Landvogt in the 16th century. The role functioned as the head of the district office (Oberamt), subordinate to the court of House of Liechtenstein.[2] Originally an undesired post, Michael Menzinger applied for the role in 1833.[3] The title was changed to governor (Landesverweser) as a concession following the Revolution of 1848 in Liechtenstein and was formalized upon the ratification of the 1862 constitution of Liechtenstein on 26 September. For this reason, Menzinger is considered the first governor of Liechtenstein.[3][4] In 1921, a new constitution was ratified in which the office was replaced by that of the prime minister.[4][5] Under this constitution, the eligibility for becoming head of government was changed to require being natural-born in Liechtenstein.[1]
The incumbent Prime Minister has been Daniel Risch since 25 March 2021.[6] There are currently five living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.[7]
Head of government
editPolitical parties
editProgressive Citizens' Party (FBP)
Christian-Social People's Party (VP)[a]
State administrator (1861–1921)
editThe Landesverweser (transl. State administrator), also known as 'Governor', was the title of the head of government from 1848 to 1921.[9]
| No.[b] | Portrait | Name (born-died) |
Term of office | Cabinet | Party | Monarch
(Reign) |
Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Duration | ||||||||
| 1 | .jpg)
|
Michael Menzinger (1792–1877) |
22 March 1833 – 15 March 1861 |
28 years, 1 month | — | Ind | Aloys II (1836–1858) |
[3] | |
| 2 | 
|
Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen (1823–1889) |
April 1861 – 23 September 1884 |
23 years, 175 days | Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen cabinet | Johann II (1858–1929) |
[5][10] | ||
| 3 | 
|
Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913) |
23 September 1884 – 5 September 1892 |
7 years, 348 days | First Carl von In der Maur cabinet | [5][11] | |||
| 4 | 
|
Friedrich Stellwag von Carion (1852–1896) |
5 September 1892 – 24 October 1896 † |
4 years, 49 days | Friedrich Stellwag von Carion cabinet | [5][12] | |||
| (3) |
|
Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913) |
4 January 1897 – 11 December 1913 † |
16 years, 341 days | Second Carl von In der Maur cabinet | [5][11] | |||
| — | .jpg)
|
Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) Acting |
11 December 1913 – 1 April 1914 |
111 days | — | [13] | |||
| 5 | 
|
Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (1869–1922) |
1 April 1914 – 13 November 1918 |
4 years, 226 days | Leopold Freiherr von Imhof cabinet | [5][14] | |||
| — | 
|
Martin Ritter Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee (1872–1947) |
7 November 1918 – 7 December 1918 |
30 days | Provisional Executive Committee | VP | [5][15] | ||
| 6 | 
|
Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein (1878–1955) |
13 December 1918 – 15 December 1920 |
1 year, 277 days | Prince Karl Aloys cabinet | Ind | [5][16] | ||
| 7 | 
|
Josef Peer (1864–1925) |
15 December 1920 – 23 March 1921 |
189 days | Josef Peer cabinet | [5][17] | |||
| 8 |
|
Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) |
23 March 1921 – 5 October 1921 |
196 days | Josef Ospelt cabinet | FBP | [5][13] | ||
Prime Minister (1921–present)
editThe Regierungschef (lit. 'head of government') is the current title for the head of government.[5] The office replaced that of State Administrator upon the ratification of the constitution of Liechtenstein on 5 October 1921.
| No.[b] | Portrait | Name (born–died) |
Elected | Term of office | Cabinet | Party | Monarch (Reign) |
Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Duration | |||||||||
| 1 |
|
Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) |
— | 5 October 1921
– 4 May 1922 |
211 days | Josef Ospelt cabinet | FBP | Johann II (1858–1929) |
[5][13] | |
| — | 
|
Alfons Feger (1856–1933) Acting |
— | 4 May 1922
– 1 June 1922 |
28 days | — | VP | [5][18] | ||
| — | 
|
Felix Gubelmann (1880–1929) Acting |
— | 1 June 1922 – 6 June 1922 |
5 days | — | FBP | [5][19] | ||
| 2 | 
|
Gustav Schädler (1883–1961) |
1922 1926 (Jan) 1926 (Apr) |
10 June 1922 – 26 June 1928 |
6 years, 16 days | Gustav Schädler cabinet | VP | [5][20] | ||
| — | 
|
Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein (1875–1930) Acting |
— | 26 June 1928 – 4 August 1928 |
39 days | — | Ind | [5][21] | ||
| 3 | .jpg)
|
Josef Hoop (1895–1959) |
1928 1930 1932 1936 1939 1945 |
4 August 1928 – 3 September 1945 |
17 years, 30 days | I II III IV |
FBP | [5][21][22] | ||
| Franz I (1929–1938) | ||||||||||
| Franz Josef II (1938–1989) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 
|
Alexander Frick (1910–1991) |
1949 1953 (Feb) 1953 (Jun) 1957 1958 |
3 September 1945 – 16 July 1962 |
16 years, 316 days | I II III |
[5][23] | |||
| 5 | 
|
Gerard Batliner (1928–2008) |
1966 | 16 July 1962 – 18 March 1970 |
7 years, 245 days | I II III |
[5][24][25] | |||
| 6 | .jpg)
|
Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011) |
1970 | 18 March 1970 – 27 March 1974 |
4 years, 9 days | Alfred Hilbe Cabinet | VU | [5][26][27] | ||
| 7 | 
|
Walter Kieber (1931–2014) |
1974 | 27 March 1974 – 26 April 1978 |
4 years, 30 days | Walter Kieber cabinet | FBP | [5][28][29] | ||
| 8 | .jpg)
|
Hans Brunhart (born 1945) |
1978 1982 1986 1989 |
26 April 1978 – 26 May 1993 |
15 years, 30 days | I II III IV |
VU | [5][30][31] | ||
| 9 | 
|
Markus Büchel (1959–2013) |
1993 (Feb) | 26 May 1993 – 15 December 1993 |
203 days | Markus Büchel cabinet | FBP | Hans-Adam II (1989–present) |
[5][32][33] | |
| 10 |
|
Mario Frick (born 1965) |
1993 (Oct) 1997 |
15 December 1993 – 5 April 2001 |
7 years, 111 days | I II |
VU | [5][34][35] | ||
| 11 | _(4).jpg)
|
Otmar Hasler (born 1953) |
2001 2005 |
5 April 2001 – 25 March 2009 |
7 years, 354 days | I II |
FBP | [5][36][37] | ||
| 12 | 
|
Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967) |
2009 | 25 March 2009 – 27 March 2013 |
4 years, 2 days | Klaus Tschütscher cabinet | VU | [5][37] | ||
| 13 | .jpg)
|
Adrian Hasler (born 1964) |
2013 2017 |
27 March 2013 – 25 March 2021 |
7 years, 363 days | I II |
FBP | [5][38] | ||
| 14 | .jpg)
|
Daniel Risch (born 1978) |
2021 | 25 March 2021 | 3 years, 233 days | Daniel Risch cabinet | VU | [5][39] | ||
- ^ The VP and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.[8]
- ^ a b People are numbered according to periods served by the same person. For example, Carl von In der Maur served as state administrator twice in two non-consecutive terms, but is counted only once.
Deputy head of government
editThe deputy head of government is the secondary chief executive in Liechtenstein.[5] One of the cabinet ministers is appointed to this position by the prince of Liechtenstein upon the proposal of the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[1]
| No. | Portrait | Name (born–died) |
Party | Took office | Duration | Prime Minister | Ref(s). | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Alfons Feger (1856–1933) |
VP | 2 March 1922
– 1 June 1922 |
91 days | Josef Ospelt | FBP | |||
| Himself Acting Prime Minister |
VP | |||||||||
| — | Vacant (1–6 June 1922) |
Felix Gubelmann Acting Prime Minister |
FBP | |||||||
| (1) |
|
Alfons Feger (1856–1933) |
VP | 6 June 1922
– 28 June 1928 |
6 years, 22 days | Gustav Schädler | VP | |||
| — | Vacant (28 June–4 August 1928) |
Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein Acting Prime Minister |
Ind | |||||||
| 2 | 
|
Ludwig Marxer (1897–1962) |
FBP | 4 August 1928
– 20 June 1933 |
4 years, 320 days | Josef Hoop | FBP | |||
| 3 | _(2).jpg)
|
Anton Frommelt (1895–1975) |
20 June 1933
– 30 March 1938 |
4 years, 283 days | ||||||
| 4 | 
|
Alois Vogt (1906–1988) |
VU | 30 March 1938
– 3 September 1945 |
7 years, 157 days | |||||
| 5 | 
|
Ferdinand Nigg (1893–1957) |
3 September 1945
– 13 July 1957 † |
11 years, 313 days | Alexander Frick | |||||
| 6 | Josef Büchel (1910–1991) |
13 July 1957
– 16 June 1965 |
7 years, 338 days | |||||||
| Gerard Batliner | ||||||||||
| 7 |
|
Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011) |
16 June 1965
– 18 March 1970 |
4 years, 275 days | ||||||
| 8 | 
|
Walter Kieber (1931–2014) |
FBP | 18 March 1970
– 27 March 1974 |
4 years, 9 days | Alfred Hilbe | VU | |||
| 9 |
|
Hans Brunhart (born 1945) |
VU | 27 March 1974
– 26 April 1978 |
4 years, 30 days | Walter Kieber | FBP | |||
| (8) |
|
Walter Kieber (1931–2014) |
FBP | 26 April 1978
– 1 July 1980 |
2 years, 66 days | Hans Brunhart | VU | |||
| 10 |
|
Hilmar Ospelt (1929–2020) |
1 July 1980
– 2 February 1986 |
5 years, 216 days | ||||||
| 11 | 
|
Herbert Wille (born 1944) |
2 February 1986
– 26 May 1993 |
7 years, 113 days | ||||||
| 12 |
|
Mario Frick (born 1965) |
VU | 26 May 1993
– 15 December 1993 |
203 days | Markus Büchel | FBP | |||
| 13 |
|
Thomas Büchel (born 1952) |
FBP | 15 December 1993
– 2 February 1997 |
3 years, 49 days | Mario Frick | VU | |||
| 14 |
|
Michael Ritter (born 1957) |
VU | 2 February 1997
– 5 April 2001 |
4 years, 62 days | |||||
| 15 | .jpg)
|
Rita Kieber-Beck (born 1958) |
FBP | 5 April 2001
– 21 April 2005 |
4 years, 16 days | Otmar Hasler | FBP | |||
| 16 |
|
Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967) |
VU | 21 April 2005
– 25 March 2009 |
3 years, 338 days | |||||
| 17 | .jpg)
|
Martin Meyer (born 1972) |
FBP | 25 March 2009
– 27 March 2013 |
4 years, 2 days | Klaus Tschütscher | VU | |||
| 18 | .jpg)
|
Thomas Zwiefelhofer (born 1969) |
VU | 27 March 2013
– 30 March 2017 |
4 years, 3 days | Adrian Hasler | FBP | |||
| 19 | .jpg)
|
Daniel Risch (born 1978) |
30 March 2017
– 25 March 2021 |
3 years, 360 days | ||||||
| 20 | .jpg)
|
Sabine Monauni (born 1974) |
FBP | 25 March 2021 | 3 years, 233 days | Daniel Risch | VU | |||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011)". Constitute. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Oberamt". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b Wille, Herbert (31 December 2011). "Verfassung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "Alt-Regierungschef Kieber mit 83 gestorben". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Biedermann, Klaus (31 December 2011). "Haus von Hausen, Karl Freiherr". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ a b Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "In der Maur auf Strelburg und zu Freifeld, Karl von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Stellwag by Carion, Friedrich". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ospelt, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Imhof, Leopold Baron von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ritter, Martin". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Karl von (1878–1955)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Peer, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Franz, Näscher (31 December 2011). "Feger, Alphonse (1856–1933)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ Büchel, Donat (31 January 2011). "Gubelmann, Felix". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Schädler, Gustav". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ a b Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Alfred von (1875–1930)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Liechtenstein Gets New Chief". The New York Times. 4 September 1945. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Frick, Alexander". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Batliner, Gerard". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Milan 2009, p. 4.
- ^ "Hilbe, Alfred". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "Heute: Vereidigung der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 18 March 1970. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Kieber, Walter (1931–2014)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 30 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "S. D. Fürst Franz Josef II: Meine Rede richtet sich an das liechtensteinische Volk". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Brunhart, Hans". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Wahl der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 April 1978. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Büchel, Markus (1959–2013)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Alles daran setzen, dass Liechtenstein neue Stabilität erlangt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 26 May 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Frick, Mario". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Heute: Wahl der Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 15 December 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Hasler, Otmar". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Zusammenarbeit besiegelt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 25 March 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Koalition statt Ko-Opposition: FBP und VU für Ende der Parteipolitik". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 March 2013. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
Further reading
edit- Vogt, Paul (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag (in German). Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
- Milan, Georg (2009). Fürstlicher Justizrat Gerard Batliner 1928-2008 (in German). Vaduz: Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein.