Landtag of Liechtenstein

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Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein

The Landtag is Liechtenstein’s unicameral parliament. It has 25 members who are elected for four years through open-list proportional representation in two districts: Oberland (15 seats) and Unterland (10 seats). A district-wide threshold of 8% is required to win seats. The voting method is panachage, which lets voters mix candidates from different lists and modify the order of names.

Key facts
- Last election: 9 February 2025. Next election: by 2029. Voter turnout: about 76% (16,171 ballots; 97% by post).
- Leaders: President Manfred Kaufmann (VU) since 10 April 2025; Vice President Franziska Hoop (FBP) since 10 April 2025.
- Composition: Government (17 seats) – Patriotic Union (10) and Progressive Citizens’ Party (7); Opposition (8 seats) – Democrats for Liechtenstein (6) and Free List (2).

History and structure
- The Landtag expanded from 15 members to 25 in 1988; the change took effect with the 1989 elections.
- Each party with seats may appoint substitute members (Stellvertreter), one substitute for every three seats in each district, at least one per party.
- Parliamentary groups can be formed by parties or alliances with at least three members; groups have representation in committees.
- The Landtag has four international delegations: EFTA Parliamentary Committee, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Lake Constance Parliamentary Commission. Delegates (and substitutes) are elected at the start of each term.

Functions and rules
- The Landtag elects its President (the speaker) and Vice President at the opening session each year. The President leads meetings and represents the Landtag externally; the Bureau (President, Vice President, and group spokespeople) handles the budget, staff, and agenda.
- Members enjoy limited immunity for what they say during sessions; they can be arrested only with Landtag permission or for crimes committed in the act.
- The Landtag runs three standing committees (five members each) and can form special or investigative committees as needed. When the Landtag is not in session, the National Committee (Landesausschuss) acts as the presiding body.

Location and constitutional basis
- Meeting place: Peter-Kaiser-Platz 3, Vaduz.
- Constitutional basis: Constitution of Liechtenstein (Chapter V).