February 1953 Liechtenstein general election

In the 1949 elections, the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) retained its majority of eight seats, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven.^[2] The coalition government under the leadership of Alexander Frick remained.^[3][4]

Frick's second term oversaw continued steps towards reforming Liechtenstein into a modern welfare state.^[5] Notably, in 1952 the old age and survivors' insurance (AHV) office in Liechtenstein, a mandatory life insurance scheme, was established after a successful referendum despite opposition from peasant workers.^[5][6] It also saw Liechtenstein achieve greater international participation, with the country joining the International Court of Justice and signing the Geneva Conventions, both in 1950.^[5]

The 15 members of the Landtag were elected by open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 9 seats and Unterland with 6 seats.^[7] Voters vote for a party list and then may strike through candidates for whom they do not wish to cast a preferential vote, and may add names of candidates from other lists.^[8] The electoral threshold to win a seat is 18%.^[7] Landtag members sit for a four-year term. Once formed, the Landtag elects the prime minister and two government councillors who govern in a cabinet.^[9] Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.^[10][11]

Both the FBP and VU campaigned in their respective party newspapers, the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt and Liechtensteiner Vaterland.^[12][13] During the election campaign, the FBP highlighted its achievements in office, such as the expansion of the Liechtenstein state budget, and said that the party had strengthened the "country's reputation, and sovereignty internationally".^[13]

On the other hand, the VU appealed to businesspeople, tradespeople, and workers, while campaigning on protecting their interests.^[14][15] In addition, the party advocated for things such as a free market economy, the expansion of benefits, and vocational education.^[12]

Due to no workers being represented in the Landtag in the 1949–1953 legislative term,^[16] on 5 October 1952 the Liechtenstein Workers' Association voted to create its own electoral group — the List of Workers and Small Farmers (UEK). The group did not consider itself a political party, but rather a list of nonpartisan workers. Its programme included issues such as the expansion of social legislation, European integration, immigration, employment, and affordable housing.^[17] Notably, the list included former VU Landtag member Josef Sele.^[18]

Political parties must have the support of 30 voters from a constituency to be eligible to nominate a candidate list in it.^[19] A total of 39 candidates were presented for the election.^[20]

The seat distribution remained unchanged from the February 1953 elections, with the FBP winning a majority of eight seats, whereas the VU won seven. The UEK won 8.9% of the vote, but failed to meet the electoral threshold of 18% to win seats in the Landtag. Voter turnout was 90.52%.^[21]

More information Party, Votes ...

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Progressive Citizens' Party	1,458	50.54	8	0
	Patriotic Union	1,229	42.60	7	0
	Workers' and Peasants' Party	198	6.86	0	New
Total		2,885	100.00	15	0
Valid votes		2,885	95.62
Invalid/blank votes		132	4.38
Total votes		3,017	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		3,333	90.52
Source: Vogt[21]

Close

Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of Frick remained.^[3][4] Upon the establishment of the AHV, the VU demanded a majority of the seven-member administrative composition including its presidency, which the FBP denied. In response, in the first session of the newly elected Landtag on 24 March 1953 the VU members walked out in protest, resulting in the Landtag being dissolved in May and new elections being called.^[22]