Patriotic Union Vaterländische Union | |
|---|---|
){kind=logo} | |
| Abbreviation | VU |
| Leader | Günther Fritz |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Merger of | Christian-Social People's Party Liechtenstein Homeland Service |
| Headquarters | Fürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse 13 FL-9490 Vaduz |
| Newspaper | Liechtensteiner Vaterland[1] |
| Youth wing | Jugendunion |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatism[2] Social conservatism[3] Christian democracy[4] Economic liberalism[4] Constitutional monarchism[5] |
| Political position | Centre[6] to centre-right[7] |
| European affiliation | European Democrat Union |
| Colours | Red |
| Seats in Landtag | 10 / 25 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Patriotic Union (German: Vaterländische Union, VU) is a liberal-conservative political party in Liechtenstein.[2] The VU is one of the two major political parties in Liechtenstein, along with the national-conservative Progressive Citizens' Party. The VU is the more liberal of the two parties, advocating constitutional monarchy and greater democracy.[8] It is led by Jakob Büchel and has ten members in the Landtag.
History
The Patriotic Union was formed by the 1936 merger of the Christian-Social People's Party (VP) with the minor party Liechtenstein Homeland Service (LHD).[9] While the VP was the larger party, following the merger it was members of the LHD who took prominent positions in the leadership of the new party.[1]
After decades of being the second party to the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), the VU became the largest party in the Landtag for the first time as a result of the 1970 elections. Although it lost the 1974 elections to the FBP, it won the 1978 elections and retained its Landtag majority until February 1993. However, early elections in October 1993 saw it regain its majority, which it held until 2001. After winning the 2009 elections the party lost the 2013 elections to the FBP.
Electoral history
Landtag elections
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 4 / 15 | – | 2nd | Opposition | ||
| 1939 | 7 / 15 |  3 |  2nd | Coalition | ||
| 1945 | 1,285 | 45.4% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1949 | 1,383 | 47.1% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1953 (Feb) | 1,229 | 42.5% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1953 (Jun) | 1,541 | 49.6% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1957 | 1,537 | 47.6% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1958 | 1,537 | 45.5% | 6 / 15 |  1 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1962 | 1,448 | 42.7% | 7 / 15 | 1 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1966 | 1,581 | 42.8% | 7 / 15 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1970 | 2,008 | 49.5% | 8 / 15 | 1 | 1st | Coalition |
| 1974 | 16,356 | 47.3% | 7 / 15 | 1 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1978 | 18,244 | 49.2% | 8 / 15 | 1 | 1st | Coalition |
| 1982 | 20,997 | 53.5% | 8 / 15 | | 1st | Coalition |
| 1986 | 46,793 | 50.1% | 8 / 15 | | 1st | Coalition |
| 1989 | 75,417 | 47.2% | 13 / 25 | 5 | 1st | Coalition |
| 1993 (Feb) | 73,217 | 45.4% | 11 / 25 | 2 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 1993 (Oct) | 78,898 | 50.1% | 13 / 25 | 2 | 1st | Coalition |
| 1997 | 82,786 | 49.2% | 13 / 25 | | 1st | Majority |
| 2001 | 76,402 | 41.3% | 11 / 25 | 2 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 2005 | 74,162 | 38.2% | 10 / 25 | 1 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 2009 | 95,219 | 47.6% | 13 / 25 | 3 | 1st | Coalition |
| 2013 | 65,118 | 33.5% | 8 / 25 | 5 | 2nd | Coalition |
| 2017 | 65,742 | 33.7% | 8 / 25 | | 2nd | Coalition |
| 2021 | 72,409 | 35.9% | 10 / 25 | 2 | 1st | TBD |
Leaders
| Years | Leader |
|---|---|
| 1936–1965 | Otto Schaedler |
| 1965–1974 | Franz Nägele |
| 1974–1992 | Otto Hasler |
| 1992–2001 | Oswald Kranz |
| 2001–2005 | Heinz Frommelt |
| 2005–2011 | Adolf Heeb |
| 2011–2015 | Jakob Büchel |
| 2015– | Günther Fritz |
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Vaterländische Union". e-archiv.li (in German). Liechtenstein National Archives. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Liechtenstein voters elect new government". The Local. Agence France-Presse. 3 February 2013.
- ^ "Liechtenstein: Economic Outline". Nordea. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ^ a b Stefanini, Sara (5 February 2017). "Liechtenstein's Populists Gain Ground". Politico. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ "Statuten der Vaterländischen Union" (PDF). Vaterländische Union. October 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Independents upset Liechtenstein's 3-party system". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. 3 February 2013.
- ^ Riches, Christopher; Stalker, Peter. A Guide to Countries of the World (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-106079-3.
- ^ Day, Alan John (2002). Political parties of the world. London: John Harper. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-9536278-7-5.
- ^ "Parties in Liechtenstein 1921-1943". Prince and People: Liechtenstein Civics (in German). School Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein. 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
External links
- Official website (in German)