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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: Daniel Risch is the incumbent prime minister.

The head of government of Liechtenstein is like the main leader of the country's government. Most people call this person the prime minister. They are in charge of the Government of Liechtenstein and lead its main group of officials, called the cabinet of Liechtenstein.

The prince of Liechtenstein chooses the prime minister. But the country's parliament, called the Landtag of Liechtenstein, must agree with the choice. The prime minister needs to have the support of both the prince and the parliament. Usually, the person chosen is the leader of the political party that won the most seats in the parliament. Sometimes, it's a leader from a group of parties working together (a coalition). A prime minister cannot be a member of the parliament at the same time.

This important job started way back in the 1500s. Back then, it was called the Landvogt. This person was the head of a local office, reporting to the Prince's court. At first, it wasn't a very popular job. But things changed when Michael Menzinger [de] took on the role in 1833.

After a big event called the Revolution of 1848 in Liechtenstein, the title changed to Landesverweser, which means 'governor'. This change became official with the 1862 constitution on September 26. Because of this, Menzinger is seen as Liechtenstein's first governor. In 1921, a new constitution was put in place. This is when the job officially became "prime minister."

The current prime minister is Daniel Risch. He has been in this role since March 25, 2021. There are five former prime ministers who are still alive today. Walter Kieber was the most recent former prime minister to pass away, in 2014.

Who Leads Liechtenstein?

Political Parties in Liechtenstein

In Liechtenstein, different political parties work to lead the country. Here are the main ones you'll see in the government:

  • {{legend2|#DDDDDD|Independent (Ind): People who don't belong to a specific party.
  • {{legend2|#1E345D|Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP): One of the two largest parties.
  • {{legend2|red|Christian-Social People's Party (VP): An older party, now less active.
  • {{legend2|#C90019|Patriotic Union (VU): The other of the two largest parties.

Governors of Liechtenstein (1861–1921)

The 'Governor' (called Landesverweser in German) was the main leader of Liechtenstein from 1848 to 1921.

List of State Administrators
No. Picture Name
(Born–Died)		 Time in Office Cabinet Party Prince
(Reign)
Started How Long
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 of Liechtenstein (1921–Present)

The Regierungschef (which means 'head of government') is the official title for Liechtenstein's prime minister today. This job replaced the 'Governor' role when the constitution of Liechtenstein was approved on October 5, 1921.

List of Prime Ministers
No. Picture Name
(Born–Died)		 Elected Time in Office Cabinet Party Prince
(Reign)
Started How Long
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 Blank Photo.png 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 4 years, 82 days Daniel Risch cabinet VU

Deputy Prime Minister

The deputy head of government is the second-in-command in Liechtenstein's government. The prince of Liechtenstein appoints one of the cabinet ministers to this job, after the Landtag of Liechtenstein suggests who it should be.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers
No. Picture Name
(Born–Died)		 Party Started Office How Long Prime Minister
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 1991.
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
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
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
19 A photograph of Daniel Risch in 2017.
Daniel Risch
(born 1978)
30 March 2017

–

25 March 2021
3 years, 360 days
20 A photograph of Sabine Monauni in 2024.
Sabine Monauni
(born 1974)
FBP
25 March 2021
4 years, 82 days
Daniel Risch

Timeline of Leaders

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

See also

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

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