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The Independents (Liechtenstein)

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The Independents
Die Unabhängigen
AbbreviationDU
LeaderPio Schurti
Founded2013
Split fromPatriotic Union
HeadquartersFeldkircherstrasse 50
LI-9494 Schaan
IdeologyRight-wing populism[1][2]
Euroscepticism[3]
Political positionRight-wing[2]
Colours  Black,   White (official)
  Yellow (customary)
Landtag
0 / 25
Mayors
0 / 11
Municipal Councils
0 / 104
Website
www.du4.li/

The Independents (German: Die Unabhängigen; abbreviated DU, meaning "YOU" in German) is a right-wing populist[1][2] Eurosceptic political party in Liechtenstein. In the 2013 parliamentary election, the first they contested, they won 29,740 votes (15.3%) and four seats in the Landtag.[4]

International commentators suggested that the party had benefited from protest votes against austerity measures.[5][6] From 2013 to 2021 it was led by former Patriotic Union Landtag member Harry Quaderer, and since 2021 by Pio Schurti.

History and political positions

[edit]

DU is not a party in the traditional sense, having incorporated as a party solely to take advantage of the financial and political rights associated with that status; its platform calls for Members of the Landtag to be able to vote based on their own convictions rather than party pressures.[7] According to Leiden University political science professor Wouter Veenendaal, the DU has an ideology "similar to that of the Progressive Citizens' Party and the Patriotic Union but its style is brasher."[2]

The DU is "critical about migration and European integration."[3] In 2015, the party called for Liechtenstein to reject the European Union's proposed resettlement of refugees, specifically stating that the EU policies "led by Merkel's Germany" were absurd.[8]

On 16 August 2018, Landtag member Erich Hasler was expelled from the DU under controversial circumstances. Thomas Rehak and Herbert Elkuch, also members of the Landtag representing the DU, subsequently left the party in opposition to Hasler's expulsion.[9] The three went on to form the Democrats for Liechtenstein, leaving the DU with only two seats in the Landtag.[10] The party suffered a major defeat in the 2021 Liechtenstein general election, loosing its two remaining seats in the Landtag.[11] In October of the same year, Harry Quaderer stepped down as leader and was succeeded by Pio Schurti.[12]

Electoral history

[edit]

Landtag elections

[edit]
Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Rank Government
2013 Harry Quaderer 29,739 15.32
4 / 25
 New Decrease 3rd Opposition
2017 35,885 18.41
5 / 25
 Increase 1 Steady 3rd Opposition
2021 8,556 4.24
0 / 25
 Decrease 3 Decrease 5th Extra-parliamentary
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Liechtenstein Populist Party Gains Ground in Parliamentary Elections". Deutsche Welle. February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Stefanini, Sara (5 February 2017). "Liechtenstein's Populists Gain Ground". Politico. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b Crowcroft, Orlando (7 February 2021). "In Liechtenstein, 38,378 of the world's wealthiest go to the polls". Euronews. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ Landtagswahlen für 2013 festgelegt Liechtensteiner Vaterland, 21 December 2012
  5. ^ "New Independent party rattles Liechtenstein vote". GlobalPost. Agence France-Presse. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 21 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Politics in tiny Liechtenstein shaken up by surprise election success of independents". Fox News. Associated Press. February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  7. ^ "About Us". Die Unabhängigen. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  8. ^ Quaderer, Harry (5 October 2015). "Landtag befasst sich mit Flüchtlingspolitik". Die Unabhängigen (in German). Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017. Was für eine EU-Aussenpolitik ist das, die wir da unterstützen, wenn wir diesem absurden EU-Flüchtlings-Quoten-Mechanismus beitreten? Die EU, angeführt von Merkel-Deutschland, scheint unfähig, ihren Einfluss im Nahen Osten geltend zu machen und auf einen Frieden hinzuwirken.
  9. ^ "Rehak and Elkuch turn their backs on DU". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 17 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Die neue Partei heisst DPL". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 21 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Landtagswahlen 2021 – Ergebnisse". Principality of Liechtenstein. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  12. ^ Quaderer, Elias (12 October 2024). "Ein Lebenszeichen von den Unabhängigen". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). Retrieved 3 November 2024.


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