How Liechtenstein used a silent election to keep Nazi sympathizers out of parliament
In short: In 1945, Liechtenstein held its first contested election in nine years. The nation had previously avoided the ballot box entirely to prevent the German National Movement from gaining political power during World War II. This unique strategy, known as the silent election, fundamentally shaped the country's post-war political landscape.
Following the 1938 Anschluss of Austria, Liechtenstein faced the looming threat of the German National Movement (VBDL). To protect the country, the two major political forces—the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) and the Patriotic Union (VU)—formed a coalition government led by Josef Hoop. To ensure stability and prevent the VBDL from infiltrating the Landtag, the government introduced a proportional representation system in 1939. Crucially, this law allowed parties representing at least 80% of the vote to propose a joint list, effectively bypassing public voting. This resulted in the 1939 silent elections, where seats were assigned without a single vote being cast.
The government's term was further extended indefinitely by Prince Franz Joseph II in 1943 via emergency decree to avoid the risks of a wartime campaign. By the time the 1945 elections were finally called on 26 March, the VBDL had become effectively defunct. The election, held on 29 April 1945, saw a 93.36% turnout. While the FBP retained its majority with eight seats and the VU held seven, the results were largely a confirmation of the pre-existing arrangement. Despite the lack of a major shift in seat distribution, the election marked a significant transition, with approximately two-thirds of the elected members being newcomers, signaling a desire for fresh leadership.
The aftermath of the election brought further political shifts. Although the coalition remained intact, Prime Minister Josef Hoop resigned in September 1945 under pressure from Prince Franz Joseph II, who believed the post-war era demanded new leadership. Hoop was succeeded by Alexander Frick. The electoral system itself remained restrictive, featuring an 18% threshold for winning seats—a high barrier specifically designed to keep fringe movements like the VBDL out of the Landtag. This period of careful political maneuvering ensured that Liechtenstein navigated the pressures of World War II while maintaining its internal stability and sovereignty.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 1945 Liechtenstein general election
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