List of heads of government of Liechtenstein

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]

A photograph of Michael Menzinger in 1845.
A photograph of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof in 1918.
A photograph of Josef Hoop in 1945.
Daniel Risch's official prime minister photograph, 2021.

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] 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 Daniel Risch since 25 March 2021.[7] There are currently five living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.[8]

Head of government

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Political parties

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  Independent

  Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP)

  Christian-Social People's Party (VP)[a]

  Patriotic Union (VU)

State administrator (1861–1921)

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The Landesverweser (transl. State administrator), also known as 'Governor', was the title of the head of government from 1848 to 1921.[10]

List of State Administrators
No.[b] Portrait Name
(born-died)
Term of office Cabinet Party Monarch

(Reign)

Ref(s).
Start Duration
1   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][11]
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][12]
4   Friedrich Stellwag von Carion
(1852–1896)
5 September 1892

24 October 1896
4 years, 49 days Friedrich Stellwag von Carion cabinet [5][13]
(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][12]
  Josef Ospelt
(1881–1962)
Acting
11 December 1913

1 April 1914
111 days [14]
5   Leopold Freiherr von Imhof
(1869–1922)
1 April 1914

13 November 1918
4 years, 226 days Leopold Freiherr von Imhof cabinet [5][15]
  Martin Ritter
Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee
(1872–1947)
7 November 1918

7 December 1918
30 days Provisional Executive Committee VP [5][16]
6   Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein
(1878–1955)
13 December 1918

15 December 1920
1 year, 277 days Prince Karl Aloys cabinet Ind [5][17]
7   Josef Peer
(1864–1925)
15 December 1920

23 March 1921
189 days Josef Peer cabinet [5][18]
8   Josef Ospelt
(1881–1962)
23 March 1921

5 October 1921
196 days Josef Ospelt cabinet FBP [5][14]

Prime Minister (1921–present)

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The 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.

List of Prime Ministers
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][14]
  Alfons Feger
(1856–1933)
Acting
4 May 1922

1 June 1922

28 days VP [5][19]
  Felix Gubelmann
(1880–1929)
Acting
1 June 1922

6 June 1922
5 days FBP [5][20]
2   Gustav Schädler
(1883–1961)
1922
1926 (Jan)
1926 (Apr)
10 June 1922

24 June 1928
6 years, 16 days Gustav Schädler cabinet VP [5][21]
  Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein
(1875–1930)
Acting
24 June 1928

4 August 1928
39 days Ind [5][22]
3   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][22][23][24]
Franz I
(1929–1938)
Franz Josef II
(1938–1989)
4   Alexander Frick
(1910–1991)
1949
1953 (Feb)
1953 (Jun)
1957
1958

1962

3 September 1945

16 July 1962
16 years, 316 days I
II
III
[5][25]
5   Gerard Batliner
(1928–2008)
1966 16 July 1962

18 March 1970
7 years, 245 days I
II
III
[5][26][27]
6   Alfred Hilbe
(1928–2011)
1970 18 March 1970

27 March 1974
4 years, 9 days Alfred Hilbe Cabinet VU [5][28][29]
7   Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
1974 27 March 1974

26 April 1978
4 years, 30 days Walter Kieber cabinet FBP [5][30][31]
8   Hans Brunhart
(born 1945)
1978
1982
1986
1989
26 April 1978

26 May 1993
15 years, 30 days I
II
III
IV
VU [5][32][33]
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][34][35]
10   Mario Frick
(born 1965)
1993 (Oct)
1997
15 December 1993

5 April 2001
7 years, 111 days I
II
VU [5][36][37]
11   Otmar Hasler
(born 1953)
2001
2005
5 April 2001

25 March 2009
7 years, 354 days I
II
FBP [5][38][39]
12   Klaus Tschütscher
(born 1967)
2009 25 March 2009

27 March 2013
4 years, 2 days Klaus Tschütscher cabinet VU [5][39]
13   Adrian Hasler
(born 1964)
2013
2017
27 March 2013

25 March 2021
7 years, 363 days I
II
FBP [5][40]
14   Daniel Risch
(born 1978)
2021 25 March 2021 3 years, 260 days Daniel Risch cabinet VU [5][41]
  1. ^ The VP and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.[9]
  2. ^ 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

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The 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]

List of Deputy Prime Ministers
No. Portrait Name
(born–died)
Party Took office Duration Prime Minister Ref(s).
1  
Alfons Feger
(1856–1933)
2 March 1922

24 June 1928
7 years, 114 days
Himself
Acting Prime Minister
Felix Gubelmann
Acting Prime Minister
Vacant
(24 June–4 August 1928)
2  
Ludwig Marxer
(1897–1962)
4 August 1928

20 June 1933
4 years, 320 days
3  
Anton Frommelt
(1895–1975)
20 June 1933

30 March 1938
4 years, 283 days
4  
Alois Vogt
(1906–1988)
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
6 Josef Büchel
(1910–1991)
13 July 1957

16 June 1965
7 years, 338 days
7   Alfred Hilbe
(1928–2011)
16 June 1965

18 March 1970
4 years, 275 days
8  
Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
18 March 1970

27 March 1974
4 years, 9 days
9  
Hans Brunhart
(born 1945)
VU
27 March 1974

26 April 1978
4 years, 30 days
(8)
Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
FBP
26 April 1978

1 July 1980
2 years, 66 days
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)
26 May 1993

15 December 1993
203 days
13  
Thomas Büchel
(born 1952)
15 December 1993

2 February 1997
3 years, 49 days
14  
Michael Ritter
(born 1957)
2 February 1997

5 April 2001
4 years, 62 days
15  
Rita Kieber-Beck
(born 1958)
5 April 2001

21 April 2005
4 years, 16 days
16  
21 April 2005

25 March 2009
3 years, 338 days
17  
Martin Meyer
(born 1972)
25 March 2009

27 March 2013
4 years, 2 days
18  
27 March 2013

30 March 2017
4 years, 3 days
19  
Daniel Risch
(born 1978)
30 March 2017

25 March 2021
3 years, 360 days
20  
Sabine Monauni
(born 1974)
25 March 2021
3 years, 260 days

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011)". Constitute. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ Biedermann, Klaus (31 December 2011). "Haus von Hausen, Karl Freiherr". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Stellwag by Carion, Friedrich". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Imhof, Leopold Baron von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  16. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ritter, Martin". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  17. ^ Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Karl von (1878–1955)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  18. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Peer, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  19. ^ Franz, Näscher (31 December 2011). "Feger, Alphonse (1856–1933)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  20. ^ Büchel, Donat (31 January 2011). "Gubelmann, Felix". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  21. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Schädler, Gustav". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  22. ^ a b Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Alfred von (1875–1930)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Gröffnungsiikung des Landtages am Gamstag". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 7 August 1928. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Frick, Alexander". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Batliner, Gerard". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  27. ^ Milan 2009, p. 4.
  28. ^ "Hilbe, Alfred". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Heute: Vereidigung der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 18 March 1970. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Kieber, Walter (1931–2014)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 30 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Brunhart, Hans". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Wahl der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 April 1978. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Büchel, Markus (1959–2013)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Alles daran setzen, dass Liechtenstein neue Stabilität erlangt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 26 May 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Frick, Mario". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Heute: Wahl der Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 15 December 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Hasler, Otmar". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Zusammenarbeit besiegelt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 25 March 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Koalition statt Ko-Opposition: FBP und VU für Ende der Parteipolitik". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 March 2013. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  41. ^ "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

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  • 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.