Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein)

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.[7] It is led by Jakob Büchel and has eight members in the Landtag.

Patriotic Union Vaterländische Union
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]
Political position	Centre[5] to centre-right[6]
European affiliation	European Democrat Union
Colours	Red
Seats in Landtag	8 / 25
Website
www.vu-online.li
Politics of Liechtenstein Political parties Elections

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).[8] 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

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

1. "Vaterländische Union". e-archiv.li (in German). Liechtenstein National Archives. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
2. "Liechtenstein voters elect new government". The Local. Agence France-Presse. 3 February 2013.
3. "Liechtenstein: Economic Outline". Nordea. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
4. Stefanini, Sara (5 February 2017). "Liechtenstein's Populists Gain Ground". Politico. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
5. "Independents upset Liechtenstein's 3-party system". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. 3 February 2013.
6. Riches, Christopher; Stalker, Peter. A Guide to Countries of the World (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-106079-3.
7. Day, Alan John (2002). Political parties of the world. London: John Harper. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-9536278-7-5.
8. "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)