List of heads of government of Liechtenstein

The head of government of Liechtenstein (German: Regierungschef von Liechtenstein), known informally as the prime minister, is the chief executive of the Government of Liechtenstein and chairs the cabinet of Liechtenstein. They are appointed by the sovereign prince of Liechtenstein with the consent of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (parliament of Liechtenstein) and are expected to command the confidence of both the prince and the Landtag. The appointed head of government is typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Landtag or a coalition of parties. The head of government cannot be a member of the Landtag at the same time, although they should meet the eligibility requirements for that office.^[1]

• Top left: Michael Menzinger is considered the first governor of Liechtenstein.
• Top right: Leopold Freiherr von Imhof was governor during World War I.
• Bottom left: Josef Hoop was the longest-serving prime minister and held the office during World War II.
• Bottom right: Daniel Risch is the incumbent prime minister.

The position originated as Landvogt in the 16th century. The role functioned as the head of the district office (Oberamt), subordinate to the court of House of Liechtenstein.^[2] It was originally an undesired post within the court; this changed after Michael Menzinger applied for the role in 1833.^[3] The title was changed to governor (Landesverweser) as a concession following the Revolution of 1848 in Liechtenstein and was formalized upon the ratification of the 1862 constitution of Liechtenstein on 26 September. For this reason, Menzinger is considered the first governor of Liechtenstein.^[3][4] In 1921, a new constitution was ratified in which the office was replaced by that of the prime minister.^[4][5] Under this constitution, the eligibility for becoming head of government was changed to require being natural-born in Liechtenstein. However, this requirement has been considered inactive since 1992.^[1][6]

The incumbent prime minister has been Daniel Risch since 25 March 2021.^[7] There are currently five living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.^[8]

Head of government

Political parties

Further information: List of political parties in Liechtenstein

  Independent

  Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP)

  Christian-Social People's Party (VP)^[a]

  Patriotic Union (VU)

State administrator (1861–1921)

The Landesverweser (transl. State administrator), also known as 'Governor', was the title of the head of government from 1848 to 1921.^[10]

List of State Administrators

No.[b]	Portrait	Name (born-died)	Term of office		Cabinet	Party		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
			Start	Duration
1		Michael Menzinger (1792–1877)	22 March 1833 – 15 March 1861	28 years, 1 month	—		Ind	Aloys II (1836–1858)	[3]
2		Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen (1823–1889)	April 1861 – 23 September 1884	23 years, 175 days	Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen cabinet			Johann II (1858–1929)	[5][11]
3		Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913)	23 September 1884 – 5 September 1892	7 years, 348 days	First Carl von In der Maur cabinet				[5][12]
4		Friedrich Stellwag von Carion (1852–1896)	5 September 1892 – 24 October 1896 †	4 years, 49 days	Friedrich Stellwag von Carion cabinet				[5][13]
(3)		Carl von In der Maur (1852–1913)	4 January 1897 – 11 December 1913 †	16 years, 341 days	Second Carl von In der Maur cabinet				[5][12]
—		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) Acting	11 December 1913 – 1 April 1914	111 days	—				[14]
5		Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (1869–1922)	1 April 1914 – 13 November 1918	4 years, 226 days	Leopold Freiherr von Imhof cabinet				[5][15]
—		Martin Ritter Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee (1872–1947)	7 November 1918 – 7 December 1918	30 days	Provisional Executive Committee		VP		[5][16]
6		Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein (1878–1955)	13 December 1918 – 15 December 1920	1 year, 277 days	Prince Karl Aloys cabinet		Ind		[5][17]
7		Josef Peer (1864–1925)	15 December 1920 – 23 March 1921	189 days	Josef Peer cabinet				[5][18]
8		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	23 March 1921 – 5 October 1921	196 days	Josef Ospelt cabinet		FBP		[5][14]

Prime Minister (1921–present)

The Regierungschef (lit. 'head of government') is the current title for the head of government.^[5] The office replaced that of State Administrator upon the ratification of the constitution of Liechtenstein on 5 October 1921.

List of Prime Ministers

No.[b]	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Elected	Term of office		Cabinet	Party		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
				Term	Duration
1		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	—	5 October 1921 – 4 May 1922	211 days	Josef Ospelt cabinet		FBP	Johann II (1858–1929)	[5][14]
—		Alfons Feger (1856–1933) Acting		4 May 1922 – 1 June 1922	28 days	—		VP		[5][19]
—		Felix Gubelmann (1880–1929) Acting		1 June 1922 – 6 June 1922	5 days			FBP		[5][20]
2		Gustav Schädler (1883–1961)	1922 1926 (Jan) 1926 (Apr)	10 June 1922 – 24 June 1928	6 years, 16 days	Gustav Schädler cabinet		VP		[5][21]
—		Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein (1875–1930) Acting	—	24 June 1928 – 4 August 1928	39 days	—		Ind		[5][22]
3		Josef Hoop (1895–1959)	1928 1930 1932 1936 1939 1945	4 August 1928 – 3 September 1945	17 years, 30 days	I II III IV		FBP		[5][22][23][24]
									Franz I (1929–1938)
									Franz Josef II (1938–1989)
4		Alexander Frick (1910–1991)	1949 1953 (Feb) 1953 (Jun) 1957 1958 1962	3 September 1945 – 16 July 1962	16 years, 316 days	I II III				[5][25]
5		Gerard Batliner (1928–2008)	1966	16 July 1962 – 18 March 1970	7 years, 245 days	I II III				[5][26][27]
6		Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011)	1970	18 March 1970 – 27 March 1974	4 years, 9 days	Alfred Hilbe Cabinet		VU		[5][28][29]
7		Walter Kieber (1931–2014)	1974	27 March 1974 – 26 April 1978	4 years, 30 days	Walter Kieber cabinet		FBP		[5][30][31]
8		Hans Brunhart (born 1945)	1978 1982 1986 1989	26 April 1978 – 26 May 1993	15 years, 30 days	I II III IV		VU		[5][32][33]
9		Markus Büchel (1959–2013)	1993 (Feb)	26 May 1993 – 15 December 1993	203 days	Markus Büchel cabinet		FBP	Hans-Adam II (1989–present)	[5][34][35]
10		Mario Frick (born 1965)	1993 (Oct) 1997	15 December 1993 – 5 April 2001	7 years, 111 days	I II		VU		[5][36][37]
11		Otmar Hasler (born 1953)	2001 2005	5 April 2001 – 25 March 2009	7 years, 354 days	I II		FBP		[5][38][39]
12		Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967)	2009	25 March 2009 – 27 March 2013	4 years, 2 days	Klaus Tschütscher cabinet		VU		[5][39]
13		Adrian Hasler (born 1964)	2013 2017	27 March 2013 – 25 March 2021	7 years, 363 days	I II		FBP		[5][40]
14		Daniel Risch (born 1978)	2021	25 March 2021	3 years, 240 days	Daniel Risch cabinet		VU		[5][41]

1. The VP and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.^[9]
2. People are numbered according to periods served by the same person. For example, Carl von In der Maur served as state administrator twice in two non-consecutive terms, but is counted only once.

Deputy head of government

The deputy head of government is the secondary chief executive in Liechtenstein.^[5] One of the cabinet ministers is appointed to this position by the prince of Liechtenstein upon the proposal of the Landtag of Liechtenstein.^[1]

List of Deputy Prime Ministers

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Party		Took office	Duration	Prime Minister			Ref(s).
1		Alfons Feger (1856–1933)		VP	2 March 1922 – 24 June 1928	7 years, 114 days	Josef Ospelt		FBP	[5]
							Himself Acting Prime Minister		VP
							Felix Gubelmann Acting Prime Minister		FBP
							Gustav Schädler		VP
—		Vacant (24 June–4 August 1928)					Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein Acting Prime Minister		Ind
2		Ludwig Marxer (1897–1962)		FBP	4 August 1928 – 20 June 1933	4 years, 320 days	Josef Hoop		FBP
3		Anton Frommelt (1895–1975)			20 June 1933 – 30 March 1938	4 years, 283 days
4		Alois Vogt (1906–1988)		VU	30 March 1938 – 3 September 1945	7 years, 157 days
5		Ferdinand Nigg (1893–1957)			3 September 1945 – 13 July 1957 †	11 years, 313 days	Alexander Frick
6		Josef Büchel (1910–1991)			13 July 1957 – 16 June 1965	7 years, 338 days
							Gerard Batliner
7		Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011)			16 June 1965 – 18 March 1970	4 years, 275 days
8		Walter Kieber (1931–2014)		FBP	18 March 1970 – 27 March 1974	4 years, 9 days	Alfred Hilbe		VU
9		Hans Brunhart (born 1945)		VU	27 March 1974 – 26 April 1978	4 years, 30 days	Walter Kieber		FBP
(8)		Walter Kieber (1931–2014)		FBP	26 April 1978 – 1 July 1980	2 years, 66 days	Hans Brunhart		VU
10		Hilmar Ospelt (1929–2020)			1 July 1980 – 2 February 1986	5 years, 216 days
11		Herbert Wille (born 1944)			2 February 1986 – 26 May 1993	7 years, 113 days
12		Mario Frick (born 1965)		VU	26 May 1993 – 15 December 1993	203 days	Markus Büchel		FBP
13		Thomas Büchel (born 1952)		FBP	15 December 1993 – 2 February 1997	3 years, 49 days	Mario Frick		VU
14		Michael Ritter (born 1957)		VU	2 February 1997 – 5 April 2001	4 years, 62 days
15		Rita Kieber-Beck (born 1958)		FBP	5 April 2001 – 21 April 2005	4 years, 16 days	Otmar Hasler		FBP
16		Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967)		VU	21 April 2005 – 25 March 2009	3 years, 338 days
17		Martin Meyer (born 1972)		FBP	25 March 2009 – 27 March 2013	4 years, 2 days	Klaus Tschütscher		VU
18		Thomas Zwiefelhofer (born 1969)		VU	27 March 2013 – 30 March 2017	4 years, 3 days	Adrian Hasler		FBP
19		Daniel Risch (born 1978)			30 March 2017 – 25 March 2021	3 years, 360 days
20		Sabine Monauni (born 1974)		FBP	25 March 2021	3 years, 240 days	Daniel Risch		VU

See also

• Politics of Liechtenstein
• List of monarchs of Liechtenstein
• List of Liechtenstein general elections
• Lists of incumbents

References

1. "Liechtenstein 1921 (rev. 2011)". Constitute. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
2. Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Oberamt". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
3. Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
4. Wille, Herbert (31 December 2011). "Verfassung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
5. "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
6. "Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein". European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. p. 22. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
7. "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
8. "Alt-Regierungschef Kieber mit 83 gestorben". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
9. Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2024.
10. "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
11. Biedermann, Klaus (31 December 2011). "Haus von Hausen, Karl Freiherr". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 April 2024.
12. Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "In der Maur auf Strelburg und zu Freifeld, Karl von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 4 November 2024.
13. Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Stellwag by Carion, Friedrich". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 February 2024.
14. Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ospelt, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
15. Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Imhof, Leopold Baron von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
16. Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ritter, Martin". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
17. Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Karl von (1878–1955)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2024.
18. Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Peer, Josef". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
19. Franz, Näscher (31 December 2011). "Feger, Alphonse (1856–1933)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2023.
20. Büchel, Donat (31 January 2011). "Gubelmann, Felix". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2023.
21. Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Schädler, Gustav". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
22. Wanger, Harald (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Alfred von (1875–1930)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
23. "Gröffnungsiikung des Landtages am Gamstag". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 7 August 1928. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
24. "Liechtenstein Gets New Chief". The New York Times. 4 September 1945. p. 12. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
25. Frommelt, Fabian (31 December 2011). "Frick, Alexander". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
26. "Batliner, Gerard". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
27. Milan 2009, p. 4.
28. "Hilbe, Alfred". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
29. "Heute: Vereidigung der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 18 March 1970. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
30. "Kieber, Walter (1931–2014)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 30 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
31. "S. D. Fürst Franz Josef II: Meine Rede richtet sich an das liechtensteinische Volk". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
32. "Brunhart, Hans". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
33. "Wahl der neuen Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 April 1978. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
34. "Büchel, Markus (1959–2013)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 July 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
35. "Alles daran setzen, dass Liechtenstein neue Stabilität erlangt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 26 May 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
36. "Frick, Mario". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
37. "Heute: Wahl der Regierung". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 15 December 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
38. "Hasler, Otmar". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). 31 December 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
39. "Zusammenarbeit besiegelt". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 25 March 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
40. "Koalition statt Ko-Opposition: FBP und VU für Ende der Parteipolitik". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 27 March 2013. p. 1. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
41. "New Government Sworn In". liechtensteinusa.org. Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein in Washington D.C. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2022.

Further reading

• Vogt, Paul (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag (in German). Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• Milan, Georg (2009). Fürstlicher Justizrat Gerard Batliner 1928-2008 (in German). Vaduz: Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein.