2017 Liechtenstein general election


General elections took place in Liechtenstein on 5 February 2017.

Background

The previous elections in 2013 saw the Patriotic Union lose five seats and their majority in the Landtag. The Progressive Citizens' Party also lost a seat, but became the governing party in part due to the entry of The Independents, a new party that won four seats.
The 2013 elections marked the first time that four parties had won seats in the Landtag, with suggestions that protest voting against austerity policies or reduced partisanship amongst voters may have been factors.

Electoral system

The 25 members of the Landtag are elected by open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 15 seats and Unterland with 10 seats. The electoral threshold is 8%.
Unterland consists of Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Ruggell and Schellenberg; Oberland consists of Balzers, Planken, Schaan, Triesen, Triesenberg and Vaduz.

Results

Reactions

Observers noted the success of the populist and "fringe groups" DU and FL – particularly the former – as well as the losses of the ruling parties at their expense.