Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein)

The Patriotic Union (German: Vaterländische Union, lit. 'Fatherland Union', VU) is a liberal-conservative political party in Liechtenstein.^[1] The VU is one of the two major political parties in Liechtenstein, along with the monarchist-conservative Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP). The VU is the relatively more liberal of the two parties, supporting a constitutional monarchy and advocating for greater democratic governance.^[2][3] Since 2021, it is led by Thomas Zwiefelhofer and holds ten seats in the 25-member Landtag of Liechtenstein.

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).^[4] While the VP was the larger and more popular party, following the merger members of the LHD took prominent positions in the leadership of the new party.^[5]

After decades of being second to the Progressive Citizens' Party, the VU became the largest party in the Landtag for the first time as a result of the 1970 general 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 the 2005 state elections, which brought in an all-time low of votes, the VU provided 10 of the 25 deputies and was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Klaus Tschütscher and Hugo Quaderer in the five-member government. The VU emerged as the clear winner from the 2009 state elections and had an absolute majority in the state parliament for the 2009–2013 legislative period with 13 seats and provided the new head of government in the coalition government with the FBP. The Patriotic Union lost five seats in the state parliament in the 2013 state elections and was then represented with eight seats and provided two of the four government councillors. In the 2017 state election, the Patriotic Union was able to slightly increase its share of the vote by 0.2%, but still retained 8 of the 25 seats in the state parliament. In the 2021 state elections, the VU achieved 10 out of 25 mandates and recorded a 2.1% increase in votes compared to the 2017 state elections.

Currently, its member Daniel Risch is the head of government. Furthermore, the party also has two members (Dominique Hasler and Graziella Marok-Wachter) as government councillors.

Ideology

The party is liberal-conservative but has members that are more socially conservative, especially when it comes to LGBT rights. It is also economically liberal, advocating a modern liberal market economy with a balanced budget.^[6]

Election results

Landtag elections

Presidents

Landtag group speakers