List of heads of government of Liechtenstein
- 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: Brigitte Haas is the incumbent and first female prime minister.
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 (parliament 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]
The position originated as Landvogt in the 14th century. The role functioned as the head of the district office (Oberamt), subordinate to the court of House of Liechtenstein.[2] It was originally an undesired post within the court; this changed after 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. However, this requirement has been considered inactive since 1992.[1][6]
The incumbent prime minister has been Brigitte Haas since 10 April 2025.[7] There are currently six living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.[8]
Head of government
[edit]Political parties
[edit]Independent Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) Christian-Social People's Party (VP)[a] Patriotic Union (VU)
State administrator (1861–1921)
[edit]The Landesverweser (transl. State administrator), also known as 'Governor', was the title of the head of government from 1848 to 1921.[10]
| No.[b] | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Party | Cabinet | Prince (Reign) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Duration | |||||||
| 1 | Michael Menzinger (1792–1877) [3] |
22 March 1833 |
15 March 1861 |
27 years, 358 days | Independent | — | Aloys II (1836–1858) | ||
| Johann II (1858–1929) | |||||||||
| 2 | Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen (1823–1889) [5][11] |
April 1861 |
23 September 1884 |
23 years, 5 months | Independent | Hausen | |||
| 3 | Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913) [5][12] |
23 September 1884 |
5 September 1892 |
7 years, 348 days | Independent | In der Maur I | |||
| 4 | Friedrich Stellwag von Carion (1852–1896) [5][13] |
5 September 1892 |
24 October 1896 |
4 years, 49 days | Independent | Carion | |||
| (3) | Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913) [5][12] |
4 January 1897 |
11 December 1913 |
16 years, 341 days | Independent | In der Maur II | |||
| — | Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) Acting [14] |
11 December 1913 |
1 April 1914 |
111 days | Independent | — | |||
| 5 | Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (1869–1922) [5][15] |
1 April 1914 |
13 November 1918 |
4 years, 226 days | Independent | Imhof | |||
| — | Martin Ritter (1872–1947) Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee [5][16] |
7 November 1918 |
7 December 1918 |
30 days | Christian-Social People's Party | Provisional Executive Committee | |||
| 6 | Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein (1878–1955) [5][17] |
13 December 1918 |
15 September 1920 |
2 years, 2 days | Independent | Prince Karl Aloys | |||
| 7 | Josef Peer (1864–1925) [5][18] |
15 September 1920 |
23 March 1921 |
189 days | Independent | Peer | |||
| 8 | Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) [5][14] |
23 March 1921 |
5 October 1921 |
196 days | Progressive Citizens' Party | Ospelt | |||
Prime Minister (1921–present)
[edit]The Regierungschef (lit. 'head of government') is the current title for the head of government. The office replaced that of State Administrator upon the ratification of the constitution of Liechtenstein on 5 October 1921.
- ↑ The Christian-Social People's Party and the Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.[9]
- 1 2 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.
Timeline
[edit]
Deputy head of government
[edit]The deputy head of government is the secondary chief executive in Liechtenstein.[5] One of the government councillors is appointed to the position by the prince of Liechtenstein upon the proposal of the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[1]
Timeline
[edit]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011)". Constitute. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ↑ Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Oberamt". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- 1 2 3 Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- 1 2 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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 "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.
- ↑ "Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein". European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. p. 22. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- 1 2 "Neue Regierung ist im Amt". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 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.
- 1 2 3 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.
- 1 2 Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Alfred von (1875–1930)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ↑ "Gröffnungsiikung des Landtages am Gamstag". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 7 August 1928. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ↑ "Liechtenstein Gets New Chief". The New York Times. 4 September 1945. p. 12. 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.
- ↑ Malin 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. p. 1. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ "Kieber, Walter (1931–2014)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 30 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ↑ "Politische Arbeit im Geist der Versöhnlichkeit". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 30 March 1974. p. 1. 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. p. 1. 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.
- ↑ "Übersicht über die neue Regierung und deren Stellvertreter". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 6 April 2001. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- 1 2 "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.
- ↑ "Neue Regierung ist im Amt". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 10 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
Further reading
[edit]- Vogt, Paul (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag (in German). Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
- Malin, Georg (2009). Fürstlicher Justizrat Gerard Batliner 1928-2008 (in German). Vaduz: Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein.