According to the Constitution, Liechtenstein is a “constitutional
hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis.”
The Parliament is the representation and “organ” of the people
and is therefore called upon to ensure its rights and interests.
The Liechtenstein Parliament (Landtag) consists of 25 Members of
Parliament and is therefore small in an international comparison. The President of Parliament and the
Vice-President of Parliament are elected in the inaugural meeting of Parliament for the current year.
Parliament meets eight to ten times each year for a duration of
one to three days, depending on the work load. In general, meetings are public and are broadcast in
their entirety (audio broadcast with still frame on the national television channel). There are also
closed meetings during which internal parliamentary business or staff questions are discussed, or during
which the Government presents information that is to be kept confidential.
Laws and financial proposals must be discussed and adopted in public
meetings of Parliament.
The most important functions of Parliament are summarized in article
62 of the Constitution. In addition to its role in the legislative process, supervision of the Government
and the exercise of fiscal authority are of particular importance.
In the elections of February 2008, the Patriotic Union (Vaterländische
Union, VU won 13 seats, the Progressive Citizens’ Party
(Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei, FBP) 11
seats, and the Free List (Freie Liste, FL) 1 seat. The results of the elections are available at www.landtag.li
 . Legal basis: Art. 46 of the Constitution
Art. 36 to 63, Liechtenstein
Legal Gazette (Landesgesetzblatt, LGBl.) 1973 No. 50
Term of office: 2009 to 2013
Election:
8 February 2009
Parliament Secretariat: Hilti Josef, Parliament Secretary President
of Parliament: Arthur Brunhart
Vice-President of Parliament: Dr. Renate Wohlwend
Spokespersons
of the Parliamentary Groups: Peter Hilti (VU), Johannes Kaiser (FBP)
Clerks:
Thomas Vogt (VU), Gerold Büchel (FBP)
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