Landtag (Parliament) of Liechtenstein
The Landtag plays an important role in Liechtenstein’s dualistic political system, lawfully representing the entirety of Liechtenstein’s citizens. The Landtag is elected using a system of proportional representation. The Oberland parliamentary constituency elects fifteen Members of Parliament, and the Unterland constituency elects ten. Parliament is opened and adjourned by the Prince. Additionally, the Prince has the legal right to dissolve Parliament on grounds of considerable importance.
The main duty of the Landtag is legislation. For laws to be put in place, they must be: passed by the Landtag, sanctioned by the Prince, countersigned by the head of government and announced in the National Law Gazette. Every law adopted by the Landtag declared non-urgent, as well as every international treaty approved may be subject to a referendum.
In the general election of 2013, the Progressive Citizens’ Party (FBP) won 10 of 25 seats, the Patriotic Union (VU) won 8 seats, 4 seats were won by the newly founded Independents (DU) and three candidates came from the Free List (FL).
Both of the largest parties with the longest histories (the FBP and VU) formed a coalition and together form Liechtenstein’s current government. The Landtag and its large coalition make for a stable expression of bourgeois politics.
