Incumbent Prime MinisterOtmar Hasler of the FBP sought re-election for a third term, while the VU nominated incumbent deputy prime ministerKlaus Tschütscher. Following the elections, Hasler resigned and the FBP and VU were asked to form a coalition government, ultimately under the leadership of Tschütscher. The new government was sworn in on 25 March 2009. As of the 2025 elections, Hasler is the most recent prime minister to lose re-election.
In the 2005 elections the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won twelve seats and lost its majority, whereas the Patriotic Union (VU) lost one seat and the Free List (FL) gained two seats.[2] As a result, the FBP and VU formed a coalition government for the first time since the October 1993 elections, ultimately under the leadership of Hasler.[3]
Hasler's second term was marked by continued efforts to reform the Liechtenstein financial centre following the 1999–2001 financial crisis.[4] However, starting from early 2008 a tax affair begun where it was revealed that millions of euros belonging to hundreds of citizens living in Germany were channelled into the LGT Bank and other banks in Liechtenstein,[5] taking advantage of Liechtenstein-based trusts to evade paying taxes in Germany.[6] The newspaper Die Welt described the event as a "government crisis".[7]
The 25 members of the Landtag were elected by open listproportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 15 seats and Unterland with 10 seats. Only parties and lists with more than 8% of the votes cast in each constituency were eligible to win seats in the Landtag.[8]
Campaign
Hasler was renominated by the FBP on 4 October 2008. Additionally, the party nominated Martin Meyer and Aurelia Frick as government candidates.[9] The party launched its campaign the following month with the slogan "We know what governing means." (German: Wir wissen, was Regieren heißt.). The party aimed to gain a majority in the Landtag and form a coalition with Hasler as prime minister.[10]
The VU nominated incumbent deputy prime minister Klaus Tschütscher for prime minister in April 2008, who had also been the party's candidate in the 2005 election.[11] Additionally, the party nominated Hugo Quaderer and Renate Müssner as government candidates.[11] Tschütscher and party-president Adolf Heeb stated that they were open to the formation of a coalition government with Tschütscher as prime minister.[12]
Major issues of the election was the Liechtenstein state budget and taxation. In the midst of the tax affair, the FBP campaigned on overhauling the tax system towards a more transparent system compatible with international standards on tax data exchange.[13] Additionally, the party campaigned on ensuring financial sustainability, creating jobs, and continued reforms in the education system.[10] Similarly, the VU campaigned on implementing tax legislation that is compatible with the European Union; the party also campaigned on strengthening Liechtenstein's economic power, and Tschütscher advocated for a liberal economic policy, more economic education, and stopping growing government spending.[12][13]
The Free List presented its Landtag candidates on 14 November 2008; the party had previously indicated that it was available to be a part of the government.[14][15] The party campaigned on reforming the banking sector and banking secrecy laws.[13] In addition, the party advocated for the expansion of the bus network and bicycle paths, but also faced controversy on issues such as maternity protection and abortion.[14]
Candidates
A total of 62 candidates stood in the election; 42 men and 20 women.[16]
The VU received 47.6% of the vote, a 9.4% increase from their 2005 performance, and won a majority of thirteen seats in the Landtag. The FBP received 43.5% of the vote, a 5.2% decrease from 2005, and won eleven seats at a loss of one. The Free List saw its vote share decrease from 13% to 8.9% from 2005 and won one seat at a decrease of two.[1][17]
A total of 15,650 ballots were cast, resulting in a 84.6% voter turnout. The majority of votes (98%) were cast by post.[1]
Upon the election results being released, Hasler announced his resignation as prime minister.[17][18] The VU invited the FBP to begin negotiations for a renewed coalition government, which the FBP accepted.[19] The two parties entered a renewed coalition government, ultimately under the leadership of Tschütscher.[20] As the junior party in the coalition, Martin Meyer became deputy prime minister. The new government was sworn in on 25 March 2009.[21]
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