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List of heads of government of Liechtenstein facts for kids

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A photograph of Michael Menzinger in 1845.
A photograph of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof in 1918.
A photograph of Josef Hoop in 1945.
Daniel Risch's official prime minister photograph, 2021.
  • Top left: Michael Menzinger [de] 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: Brigitte Haas is the incumbent and first female prime minister.

The head of government of Liechtenstein is also known as the prime minister. This person is like the main leader of the Government of Liechtenstein. They lead the group of top officials called the cabinet of Liechtenstein. The prince of Liechtenstein chooses the prime minister, but the Landtag of Liechtenstein (which is Liechtenstein's parliament) must agree. The prime minister needs to have the trust of both the prince and the Landtag.

Usually, the person chosen as prime minister is the leader of the political party that won the most seats in the Landtag. Sometimes, it's a leader from a group of parties working together, called a coalition. A prime minister cannot also be a member of the Landtag at the same time.

The role of the head of government started in the 1500s. Back then, it was called Landvogt. This person was in charge of a local office that reported to the House of Liechtenstein (the royal family). At first, it wasn't a very popular job. But this changed when Michael Menzinger [de] took on the role in 1833.

After the Revolution of 1848 in Liechtenstein, the title changed to Landesverweser, which means governor. This change became official when the 1862 constitution was approved on September 26. Because of this, Menzinger is seen as Liechtenstein's first governor. In 1921, a new constitution was approved. This new constitution changed the job title to prime minister. It also said that the prime minister had to be born in Liechtenstein, but this rule has not been followed since 1992.

The current prime minister is Brigitte Haas. She started her role on April 10, 2025, and is the first woman to hold this position. There are currently six former prime ministers who are still alive. Walter Kieber was the most recent former prime minister to pass away, in 2014.

Leaders of Liechtenstein

Political Parties

Here are the main political parties mentioned for the leaders of Liechtenstein:

  • {{legend2|#DDDDDD|Independent (Ind) – These leaders do not belong to a specific political party.
  •       Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) – One of the major parties in Liechtenstein.
  •       Christian-Social People's Party (VP) – An older party that was active in the early 1900s.
  •       Patriotic Union (VU) – Another major party in Liechtenstein.

State Administrators (1861–1921)

The Landesverweser, also known as 'Governor', was the title for the head of government from 1848 to 1921.

List of State Administrators
No. Portrait Name
(born-died)
Time in Office Cabinet Party Monarch

(Reign)

Ref(s).
Start Duration
1 A photograph of Michael Menzinger in 1845. Michael Menzinger [de]
(1792–1877)
22 March 1833

15 March 1861
28 years, 1 month Ind Aloys II
(1836–1858)
2 An undated photograph of Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen. 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)
3 A photograph of Carl von In der Maur between 1912 and 1913. 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 An undated photograph of Friedrich Stellwag von Carion. Friedrich Stellwag von Carion
(1852–1896)
5 September 1892

24 October 1896 †
4 years, 49 days Friedrich Stellwag von Carion cabinet
(3) A photograph of Carl von In der Maur between 1912 and 1913. Carl von In der Maur
(1852–1913)
4 January 1897

11 December 1913 †
16 years, 341 days Second Carl von In der Maur cabinet
A photograph of Josef Ospelt in 1921. Josef Ospelt
(1881–1962)
Acting
11 December 1913

1 April 1914
111 days
5 A photograph of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof in 1918. Leopold Freiherr von Imhof
(1869–1922)
1 April 1914

13 November 1918
4 years, 226 days Leopold Freiherr von Imhof cabinet
An undated photograph of Martin Ritter. 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.jpg Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein
(1878–1955)
13 December 1918

15 December 1920
1 year, 277 days Prince Karl Aloys cabinet Ind
7 An undated photograph of Josef Peer. Josef Peer
(1864–1925)
15 December 1920

23 March 1921
189 days Josef Peer cabinet
8 A photograph of Josef Ospelt in 1921. Josef Ospelt
(1881–1962)
23 March 1921

5 October 1921
196 days Josef Ospelt cabinet FBP

Prime Ministers (1921–Present)

The Regierungschef (which means head of government) is the current title for the leader of Liechtenstein. This job replaced the State Administrator role when the constitution of Liechtenstein was approved on October 5, 1921.

List of Prime Ministers
No. Portrait Name
(born–died)
Elected Time in Office Cabinet Party Monarch
(Reign)
Ref(s).
Term Duration
1 A photograph of Josef Ospelt in 1921. Josef Ospelt
(1881–1962)
5 October 1921

4 May 1922

211 days Josef Ospelt cabinet FBP Johann II
(1858–1929)
A photograph of Alfons Feger in 1910. Alfons Feger
(1856–1933)
Acting
4 May 1922

1 June 1922

28 days VP
An undated photograph of Felix Gubelmann. Felix Gubelmann
(1880–1929)
Acting
1 June 1922

6 June 1922
5 days FBP
2 An undated photograph of Gustav Schädler. Gustav Schädler
(1883–1961)
1922
1926 (Jan)
1926 (Apr)
10 June 1922

24 June 1928
6 years, 16 days Gustav Schädler cabinet VP
A photograph of Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein in 1910. Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein
(1875–1930)
Acting
24 June 1928

4 August 1928
39 days Ind
3 A photograph of Josef Hoop in 1945. 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 A photograph of Alexander Frick in 1954. 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 A photograph of Gerard Batliner between 1962 and 1970. Gerard Batliner
(1928–2008)
1966 16 July 1962

18 March 1970
7 years, 245 days I
II
III
6 A photograph of Alfred Hilbe in 1974. Alfred Hilbe
(1928–2011)
1970 18 March 1970

27 March 1974
4 years, 9 days Alfred Hilbe Cabinet VU
7 A photograph of Walter Kieber in 1975. Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
1974 27 March 1974

26 April 1978
4 years, 30 days Walter Kieber cabinet FBP
8 A photograph of Hans Brunhart in 1991. Hans Brunhart
(born 1945)
1978
1982
1986
1989
26 April 1978

26 May 1993
15 years, 30 days I
II
III
IV
VU
9 A photograph of Markus Büchel in 1993. 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 (politician) (cropped).jpg Mario Frick
(born 1965)
1993 (Oct)
1997
15 December 1993

5 April 2001
7 years, 111 days I
II
VU
11 Otmar Hasler's official prime minister photograph, between 2001 and 2009. Otmar Hasler
(born 1953)
2001
2005
5 April 2001

25 March 2009
7 years, 354 days I
II
FBP
12 Klaus Tschütscher's official prime minister photograph, 2009. Klaus Tschütscher
(born 1967)
2009 25 March 2009

27 March 2013
4 years, 2 days Klaus Tschütscher cabinet VU
13 Adrian Hasler's official prime minister photograph, 2017. Adrian Hasler
(born 1964)
2013
2017
27 March 2013

25 March 2021
7 years, 363 days I
II
FBP
14 Daniel Risch's official prime minister photograph, 2021. Daniel Risch
(born 1978)
2021 25 March 2021

10 April 2025
4 years, 16 days Daniel Risch cabinet VU
15 Brigitte Haas's official prime minister photograph, 2025. Brigitte Haas
(born 1964)
2025 10 April 2025

Incumbent
107 days Brigitte Haas cabinet VU

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Timeline of Prime Ministers

Brigitte Haas Daniel Risch Adrian Hasler Klaus Tschütscher Otmar Hasler Mario Frick (politician) Markus Büchel Hans Brunhart Walter Kieber Alfred Hilbe Gerard Batliner Alexander Frick Josef Hoop Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein (1875–1930) Gustav Schädler Felix Gubelmann Alfons Feger Josef Peer Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein Martin Ritter Leopold Freiherr von Imhof Josef Ospelt Friedrich Stellwag von Carion Carl von In der Maur Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen

Deputy Head of Government

The deputy head of government is the second most important leader in Liechtenstein. One of the cabinet ministers is chosen for this job by the prince of Liechtenstein. The Landtag of Liechtenstein (parliament) suggests who should be appointed.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers
No. Portrait Name
(born–died)
Party Took office Duration Prime Minister Ref(s).
1 A photograph of Alfons Feger in 1908.
Alfons Feger
(1856–1933)
VP
2 March 1922

24 June 1928
7 years, 114 days
Josef Ospelt
FBP
Himself
Acting Prime Minister
VP
Felix Gubelmann
Acting Prime Minister
FBP
Gustav Schädler
VP
Vacant
(24 June–4 August 1928)
Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein
Acting Prime Minister
Ind
2 A photograph of Ludwig Marxer in 1938.
Ludwig Marxer
(1897–1962)
FBP
4 August 1928

20 June 1933
4 years, 320 days
Josef Hoop
FBP
3 A photograph of Anton Frommelt in 1938.
Anton Frommelt
(1895–1975)
20 June 1933

30 March 1938
4 years, 283 days
4 A photograph of Alois Vogt in 1945.
Alois Vogt
(1906–1988)
VU
30 March 1938

3 September 1945
7 years, 157 days
5 A photograph of Ferdinand Nigg in 1925.
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 A photograph of Alfred Hilbe in 1965.
Alfred Hilbe
(1928–2011)
16 June 1965

18 March 1970
4 years, 275 days
8 A photograph of Walter Kieber in 1975.
Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
FBP
18 March 1970

27 March 1974
4 years, 9 days
Alfred Hilbe
VU
9 A photograph of Hans Brunhart in 1991.
Hans Brunhart
(born 1945)
VU
27 March 1974

26 April 1978
4 years, 30 days
Walter Kieber
FBP
(8)
A photograph of Walter Kieber in 1975.
Walter Kieber
(1931–2014)
FBP
26 April 1978

1 July 1980
2 years, 66 days
Hans Brunhart
VU
10 Blank Photo.png
Hilmar Ospelt
(1929–2020)
1 July 1980

2 February 1986
5 years, 216 days
11 A photograph of Herbert Wille in 1986.
Herbert Wille
(born 1944)
2 February 1986

26 May 1993
7 years, 113 days
12 Mario Frick (politician) (cropped).jpg
Mario Frick
(born 1965)
VU
26 May 1993

15 December 1993
203 days
Markus Büchel
FBP
13 Blank Photo.png
Thomas Büchel
(born 1952)
FBP
15 December 1993

9 April 1997
3 years, 115 days
Mario Frick
VU
14 Michael Ritter (cropped).jpg
Michael Ritter
(born 1957)
VU
9 April 1997

5 April 2001
3 years, 361 days
15 A photograph of Rita Kieber-Beck in 2006.
Rita Kieber-Beck
(born 1958)
FBP
5 April 2001

21 April 2005
4 years, 16 days
Otmar Hasler
FBP
16 Klaus Tschütscher's official prime minister photograph, 2009.
Klaus Tschütscher
(born 1967)
VU
21 April 2005

25 March 2009
3 years, 338 days
17 A photograph of Martin Meyer in 2011.
Martin Meyer
(born 1972)
FBP
25 March 2009

27 March 2013
4 years, 2 days
Klaus Tschütscher
VU
18 A photograph of Thomas Zwiefelhofer in 2013.
Thomas Zwiefelhofer
(born 1969)
VU
27 March 2013

30 March 2017
4 years, 3 days
Adrian Hasler
FBP
19 A photograph of Daniel Risch in 2017.
Daniel Risch
(born 1978)
30 March 2017

25 March 2021
3 years, 360 days
20 Sabine Monauni's official portrait as deputy prime minister, 2025.
Sabine Monauni
(born 1974)
FBP
25 March 2021
4 years, 123 days
Daniel Risch
Brigitte Haas
VU

Timeline of Deputy Prime Ministers

Sabine Monauni Daniel Risch Thomas Zwiefelhofer Martin Meyer (Liechtenstein politician) Klaus Tschütscher Rita Kieber-Beck Michael Ritter Thomas Büchel Mario Frick (politician) Herbert Wille Hilmar Ospelt Hans Brunhart Walter Kieber Alfred Hilbe Josef Büchel Ferdinand Nigg Alois Vogt Anton Frommelt Ludwig Marxer Alfons Feger

More About Liechtenstein's Government

  • Politics of Liechtenstein
  • List of monarchs of Liechtenstein
  • List of Liechtenstein general elections
  • List of cabinets of Liechtenstein
  • Lists of incumbents

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Primeros ministros de Liechtenstein para niños

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