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Christian-Social People's Party (Liechtenstein)

Summary

The Christian-Social People's Party (German: Christlich-Soziale Volkspartei), often shortened to People's Party (German: Volkspartei, VP), was a social liberal political party in Liechtenstein.[1] Founded in 1918, the Christian-Social People's Party and the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) were the first political parties in Liechtenstein.[2]

Christian-Social People's Party
Christlich-Soziale Volkspartei
AbbreviationVP
FounderWilhelm Beck
FoundedFebruary 1918 (February 1918)
DissolvedJanuary 1936 (January 1936)
Merged intoPatriotic Union
NewspaperLiechtensteiner Nachrichten
(Liechtenstein News)
IdeologySocial liberalism
ColoursRed

History edit

Formation and putsch edit

 
Wilhelm Beck
 
Anton Walser
 
Martin Ritter

The party's roots originate behind the ideals of lawyer and politician Wilhelm Beck when he formed an opposition group around himself in 1914 with its newspaper Oberrheinische Nachrichten against the government of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof.[3][4] The party itself was established in February 1918 as an off-shoot of the trade union movement.[5]

The party conducted a de facto coup d'état against Imhof's government in November 1918, which forced his government to resign and replaced with a provisional executive committee led by VP member Martin Ritter, the first Liechtensteiner native head of government.[6][7][8]

Political history and merging edit

It first formed the country's first and only government following the 1922 elections under Gustav Schädler with Beck as President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein and remained in power until losing the 1928 elections.[7][9] The party lost significant credibility when his government was the subject of an embezzlement scandal involving the National Bank of Liechtenstein, primarily by party chairman Anton Walser in 1928. Johann II forced his government to resign in June 1928 as a result, and early elections were called.[10]

In 1936, it merged with Liechtenstein Homeland Service to form the Patriotic Union (VU).[11]

Ideology edit

The VP advocated for an expansion of democracy and progressive social policies, and was also supportive of the country's constitutional monarchy.[5] Due to its pro-democratic social liberal leanings and party colors, party members were often referred to disparagingly as "Reds".[1]

Electoral performance edit

Election Leader Performance Rank Government
Votes % +/– Seats +/–
1918 Wilhelm Beck
5 / 15
 New 2nd Opposition
1922 Gustav Schädler
11 / 15
   6   1st Coalition
1926 (Jan)
9 / 15
   2   1st Coalition
1926 (Apr)
9 / 15
   0   1st Coalition
1928
4 / 15
   5   2nd Opposition
1930 Wilhelm Beck
0 / 15
   4   2nd Extra-parliamentary
1932
2 / 15
   2   2nd Opposition

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei". e-archiv.li (in German). Liechtenstein National Archives. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  2. ^ "History". Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Government of Liechtenstein Marketing. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  3. ^ Leipold-Schneider, Gerda (31 December 2011). "Beck, Wilhelm". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. ^ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Christlich-soziale Volkspartei (VP)". Historisches Lexikon. Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein.
  5. ^ a b Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p609 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
  6. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Novemberputsch 1918". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862–2021". www.regierung.li.
  8. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ritter, Martin". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  9. ^ Dieter Nohlen; Philip Stöver (2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook (in German). Nomos. p. 1182. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
  10. ^ Büchel, Donat (31 December 2011). "Sparkassaskandal". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Parties in Liechtenstein 1921-1943". Prince and People: Liechtenstein Civics (in German). School Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein. 2007. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.

Further reading edit