The Independents (Liechtenstein)

The Independents (German: Die Unabhängigen; abbreviated DU, meaning "YOU" in German), is a right-wing populist[1][2] Eurosceptic political party in Liechtenstein. In the 2013 parliamentary election, the first they contested, they won 29,740 votes (15.3%) and four seats in the Landtag.[3] DU is headed by former Patriotic Union parliamentarian Harry Quaderer.

The Independents

Die Unabhängigen
AbbreviationDU
LeaderHarry Quaderer
Founded2013
HeadquartersFeldkircherstrasse 50
LI-9494 Schaan
IdeologyRight-wing populism[1][2]
Euroscepticism
Political positionRight-wing[2]
ColoursWhite
Seats in Landtag
5 / 25
Website
www.du4.li/

International commentators suggested that the party had benefited from protest votes against austerity measures.[4][5]

Political positions

DU is not a party in the traditional sense, having incorporated as a party solely to take advantage of the financial and political rights associated with that status; its platform calls for Members of the Landtag to be able to vote based on their own convictions rather than party pressures.[6] According to Leiden University political science professor Wouter Veenendaal, the DU has an ideology "similar to that of the Progressive Citizens' Party and the Patriotic Union but its style is brasher."[2]

In 2015 the party called for Liechtenstein to reject the European Union's proposed resettlement of refugees, specifically stating that the EU policies "led by Merkel's Germany" were absurd.[7]

Electoral history

Landtag elections
Election Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2013 29,739 15.3%
4 / 25
 4 3rd Opposition
2017 35,885 18.4%
5 / 25
 1 3rd Opposition

References
  1. "Liechtenstein Populist Party Gains Ground in Parliamentary Elections". Deutsche Welle. February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  2. Stefanini, Sara (5 February 2017). "Liechtenstein's Populists Gain Ground". Politico. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  3. Landtagswahlen für 2013 festgelegt Liechtensteiner Vaterland, 21 December 2012
  4. "New Independent party rattles Liechtenstein vote". GlobalPost. Agence France-Presse. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 21 July 2016.
  5. "Politics in tiny Liechtenstein shaken up by surprise election success of independents". Fox News. Associated Press. February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  6. "About Us". Die Unabhängigen. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  7. Quaderer, Harry (5 October 2015). "Landtag befasst sich mit Flüchtlingspolitik". Die Unabhängigen (in German). Retrieved 19 September 2017. Was für eine EU-Aussenpolitik ist das, die wir da unterstützen, wenn wir diesem absurden EU-Flüchtlings-Quoten-Mechanismus beitreten? Die EU, angeführt von Merkel-Deutschland, scheint unfähig, ihren Einfluss im Nahen Osten geltend zu machen und auf einen Frieden hinzuwirken.


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