List of heads of government of Liechtenstein

The head of government of Liechtenstein (German: Regierungschef), 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 and are expected to command the confidence of both the prince and the Landtag.^[1] 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, but is not required to be a member of the Landtag themselves, although they should meet the eligibility requirements for that office.

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 1833, when Michael Menzinger applied for its creation. The role functioned as the head of the district office, with Menzinger serving as the first office-holder.^[2]^[3] The title was changed to 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.^[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 residency in Liechtenstein.^[1]

The incumbent Prime Minister is Daniel Risch since 25 March 2021.^[6] There are currently five living former prime ministers, with Walter Kieber being the most recent death, in 2014.^[7]

Head of government

Political parties

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.^[9]

List of State Administrators
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born-died)	Term of office		Cabinet	Party		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born-died)	Start	Duration	Cabinet	Party		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
1		Michael Menzinger (1792–1877)	March 1833 – April 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]
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
4		Friedrich Stellwag von Carion (1852–1896)	5 September 1892 – 24 October 1896 †	4 years, 49 days	Friedrich Stellwag von Carion cabinet
(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
—		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962) Acting	11 December 1913 – 1 April 1914	111 days	—				^[10]
5		Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (1869–1922)	1 April 1914 – 13 November 1918	4 years, 226 days	Leopold Freiherr von Imhof cabinet				^[5]
—		Martin Ritter Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee (1872–1947)	7 November 1918 – 7 December 1918	30 days	Provisional Executive Committee		VP
6		Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein (1878–1955)	13 December 1918 – 15 December 1920	1 year, 277 days	Prince Karl Aloys cabinet		Ind
7		Josef Peer (1864–1925)	15 December 1920 – 23 March 1921	189 days	Josef Peer cabinet		Ind
8		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	23 March 1921 – 5 October 1921	196 days	Josef Ospelt cabinet		FBP

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).
No.^[b]	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Elected	Term	Duration	Cabinet	Party		Monarch (Reign)	Ref(s).
1		Josef Ospelt (1881–1962)	—	5 October 1921 – 4 May 1922	211 days	Josef Ospelt cabinet		FBP	Johann II (1858–1929)	^[5]
—		Alfons Feger (1856–1933) Acting	—	4 May 1922 – 1 June 1922	28 days	—		Ind
—		Felix Gubelmann (1880–1929) Acting	—	1 June 1922 – 6 June 1922	5 days	—		Ind
2		Gustav Schädler (1883–1961)	1922 1926 (Jan) 1926 (Apr)	6 June 1922 – 28 June 1928	6 years, 22 days	Gustav Schädler cabinet		VP
—		Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein (1875–1930) Acting	—	28 June 1928 – 4 August 1928	37 days	—		Ind
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
									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		Gerard Batliner (1928–2008)	1966	16 July 1962 – 18 March 1970	7 years, 245 days	I II III
6		Alfred Hilbe (1928–2011)	1970	18 March 1970 – 27 March 1974	4 years, 9 days	Alfred Hilbe Cabinet		VU
7		Walter Kieber (1931–2014)	1974	27 March 1974 – 26 April 1978	4 years, 30 days	Walter Kieber cabinet		FBP
8		Hans Brunhart (born 1945)	1978 1982 1986 1989	26 April 1978 – 26 May 1993	15 years, 30 days	I II III IV		VU
9		Markus Büchel (1959–2013)	1993 (Feb)	26 May 1993 – 15 December 1993	203 days	Markus Büchel cabinet		FBP	Hans-Adam II (1989–present)
10		Mario Frick (born 1965)	1993 (Oct) 1997	15 December 1993 – 5 April 2001	7 years, 111 days	I II		VU
11		Otmar Hasler (born 1953)	2001 2005	5 April 2001 – 25 March 2009	7 years, 354 days	I II		FBP
12		Klaus Tschütscher (born 1967)	2009	25 March 2009 – 27 March 2013	4 years, 2 days	Klaus Tschütscher cabinet		VU
13		Adrian Hasler (born 1964)	2013 2017	27 March 2013 – 25 March 2021	7 years, 363 days	I II		FBP
14		Daniel Risch (born 1978)	2021	25 March 2021	3 years, 208 days	Daniel Risch cabinet		VU

^ The VP and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.^[8]
^ ^a ^b 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.	Name (born–died)		Took office	Duration	Prime Minister		Ref(s).
1	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Ind	2 March 1922 – 1 June 1922	91 days	Josef Ospelt	FBP	^[5]
1	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Ind	2 March 1922 – 1 June 1922		Himself Acting Prime Minister	Ind
—	Vacant (1–6 June 1922)				Felix Gubelmann Acting Prime Minister	Ind
(1)	Alfons Feger (1856–1933)	Ind	6 June 1922 – 28 June 1928	6 years, 22 days	Gustav Schädler	VP
—	Vacant (28 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)	FBP	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	Gerard Batliner
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	Mario Frick	VU
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	Otmar Hasler	FBP
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)	VU	30 March 2017 – 25 March 2021	3 years, 360 days	Adrian Hasler	FBP
20	Sabine Monauni (born 1974)	FBP	25 March 2021	3 years, 208 days	Daniel Risch	VU

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein". European Commission for Democracy Through Law (Venice Commission). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
^ Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Oberamt". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 29 September 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2024.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2024.
^ "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.
^ 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.

External links

World Statesmen – Liechtenstein

[a-9] The VP and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.^[8]

[b-11] 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.

[:0-1] "Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein". European Commission for Democracy Through Law (Venice Commission). Strasbourg. 27 November 2002 [5 October 1921]. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

[2] Vogt, Paul (31 December 2011). "Oberamt". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 29 September 2024.

[:1-3] Burmeister, Karl Heinz (31 December 2011). "Menzinger, Johann Michael". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2024.

[:122-4] 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.

[officehistory-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "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] "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.

[7] "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.

[:12-8] Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2024.

[officehistory2-10] "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.

[:04-12] 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.

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