Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east and north and Switzerland in the west and south. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein of the House of Liechtenstein, currently led by Hans-Adam II. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres and a population of 40,023. It is the world's smallest country to border two countries, and is one of the few countries with no debt.
Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a semi-constitutional monarchy. It has a form of mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. There is a two-party system and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister and head of government is responsible to parliament. However the Prince of Liechtenstein is head of state and exercises considerable political powers.
Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein and also the seat of the national parliament. The city, which is located along the Rhine, has 5,696 residents. The most prominent landmark of Vaduz is Vaduz Castle, perched atop a steep hill overlooking the city. It is home to the reigning prince of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein princely family. The city's distinctive architecture is also displayed in landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. Florin, Government House, City Hall, the National Art Gallery, as well as the National Museum. Although Vaduz is the best-known town in the principality internationally, it is not the largest; neighbouring Schaan has a larger population.
Eschen is a municipality in the north of Liechtenstein. It has a population of 4,629 as of 2023, and covers an area of 10.3 square kilometres. It is the fourth-largest town in Liechtenstein by population.
Walter Kieber was a lawyer and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1974 to 1978.
Markus Büchel was an advocate and politician from Liechtenstein who served as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein in 1993. Serving for just under 7 months, he is the shortest serving prime minister in Liechtenstein's history.
Liechtensteiner Vaterland is the largest daily newspaper in Liechtenstein. Published by Vaduzer Medienhaus AG, it is the official newspaper of the Patriotic Union party.
General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 3 February 2013, using a proportional representation system. Four parties contested the elections; the centre-right Patriotic Union (VU) and Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), centre-left Free List (FL) and newly created populist alliance The Independents (DU).
Franz Josef Hoop was a diplomat and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1945. Hoop is best known for his efforts to retain Liechtenstein's neutrality and independence during World War II. Serving for seventeen years, he is the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, ahead of his successor Alexander Frick by 79 days. He served under the reign of Prince of Liechtenstein Johann II, Franz I and Franz Joseph II, making him the only prime minister to serve under three Princes consecutively.
Thomas Zwiefelhofer is a politician from Liechtenstein who served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein and Minister of Home Affairs, Justice and Economic Affairs.
Mauro Pedrazzini is a politician from Liechtenstein who served as Minister of Social Affairs in the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein from 2013 to 2021.
Melitta Marxer was a Liechtensteiner activist who spent decades organizing and fighting for women's suffrage. She is most known for speaking at the Council of Europe in 1983 to gain international support for women's right to vote.
Dominique Hasler is a Liechtensteiner politician, teacher and educator. She currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport for the Patriotic Union. She was appointed in March 2021 by Prime Minister Daniel Risch in March 2021, succeeding Katrin Eggenberger.
Women's suffrage in Liechtenstein was introduced on 1 July 1984, after the 1984 Liechtenstein women's suffrage referendum. This was the last nation in Europe to introduce this right.
Daniel Risch is a politician from Liechtenstein who has served as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein since 2021. He was previously Deputy Prime Minister 2017 to 2021, under the government of Adrian Hasler.
Ida Ospelt-Amann was a Liechtensteiner poet who wrote in the Alemannic dialect that is spoken in the Vaduz region. She was considered the most important of her country's dialect poets. Her works deal primarily with rural life, as well as with her home town of Vaduz, and its change over time.
Ludwig Marxer was an advocate and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1933.
Peter Marxer was an advocate and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as the president of the Progressive Citizens' Party from 1970 to 1982. He also oversaw the law firm Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte from 1962 until his death.
Wolfgang Marxer is a politician from Liechtenstein who served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
The Third Hans Brunhart cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 30 April 1986 to 5 June 1989. It was appointed by Hans-Adam on behalf of Franz Joseph II and chaired by Hans Brunhart.
