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

Patriotic Union

Vaterländische Union
AbbreviationVU
LeaderGünther Fritz
Founded1936
Merger ofChristian-Social People's Party
Liechtenstein Homeland Service
HeadquartersFürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse 13
FL-9490 Vaduz
NewspaperLiechtensteiner Vaterland[1]
Youth wingJugendunion
IdeologyLiberal conservatism[2]
Social conservatism[3]
Christian democracy[4]
Economic liberalism[4]
Political positionCentre[5] to centre-right[6][a]
European affiliationEuropean Democrat Union
ColoursRed
Seats in Landtag
8 / 25
Website
www.vu-online.li
^ a: The VU has also been described as centre-left[7] because it functions as the more liberal of Liechtenstein's two major parties; however, its policies are usually placed on the centre to centre-right.

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

Leaders
Years Leader
1936–1965Otto Schaedler
1965–1974Franz Nägele
1974–1992Otto Hasler
1992–2001Oswald Kranz
2001–2005Heinz Frommelt
2005–2011Adolf Heeb
2011–2015Jakob 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. "Liechtenstein". U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets/Background Notes. United States Department of State. April 2008.
    8. Day, Alan John (2002). Political parties of the world. London: John Harper. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-9536278-7-5.
    9. "Parties in Liechtenstein 1921-1943". Prince and People: Liechtenstein Civics (in German). School Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein. 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2014.


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