Summary
The Democrats for Liechtenstein (German: Demokraten pro Liechtenstein; abbreviated DpL) is a political party in Liechtenstein. Formed as a splinter of The Independents in September 2018,[6] the party initially held three seats in the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[7] It won 11.1% of votes and two seats in the 2021 general election.[8]
Democrats for Liechtenstein Demokraten pro Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | DpL |
| Leader | Thomas Rehak |
| Founded | 21 September 2018 |
| Split from | The Independents |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Right-wing[5] |
| Colours | Blue |
| Landtag | 2 / 25 |
| Mayors | 0 / 11 |
| Municipal Councils | 5 / 104 |
| Website | |
| www.dpl.li/ | |
History edit
On 16 August 2018, Landtag member Erich Hasler was expelled from The Independents (DU) under controversial circumstances. Thomas Rehak and Herbert Elkuch, also members of the Landtag representing The Independents, subsequently left the party in opposition to Hasler's expulsion.[9] The three founded a new parliamentary group, provisionally named "New Faction" (German: Neue Fraktion). This left The Independents with only two members of the Landtag; the new group was granted DU's seat in the presidium of the Landtag. The Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL) party was officially founded on 21 September 2018, with Thomas Rehak becoming its leader.[6][10]
There was initially controversy about whether the DpL was entitled to public funding, since it had entered the Landtag without standing for election. In February 2019, the Administrative Court granted DpL the annual lump sum of CHF 55,000 which all parties represented in the Landtag are entitled to under the Political Party Financing Act.[6]
In the 2021 election, the DpL won two seats, with Thomas Rehak and Herbert Elkuch remaining members of parliament, and Erich Hasler elected deputy member for DpL.
Political positions edit
The DpL, along with the DU, is considered ideologically right-wing populist.[11] It is skeptical of migration and European integration.[11]
Electoral results edit
Landtag elections edit
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Rank | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Thomas Rehak | 22,456 | 11.14 | 2 / 25
|
New | 4th | Opposition |
Local elections edit
| Mayoral elections | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First round | Second round | Total
Mayors | |||||
| Votes | % | Mayors | Votes | % | Mayors | |||
| 2019 | 719 | 5.5 | 0 | 625 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Source: 1, 2 | ||||||||
| Municipal councils | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Votes | % | Seats | |
| 2019 | 3,119 | 2.1 | 1 / 104
| |
| 2023 | 8,980 | 6.1 | 5 / 104
| |
| Source: 1, 2, 3 | ||||
References edit
- ^ ""Ich rechne mit einem knappen Wahlausgang"". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "DpL – Demokraten pro Liechtenstein". DpL. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/07/in-liechtenstein-38-378-of-the-world-s-wealthiest-people-go-to-the-polls In Liechtenstein, 38,378 of the world's wealthiest people go to the polls
- ^ "Europa ist (noch) kein Politikum im Land". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ ""QAnon"-Anhänger wollen in den Landtag". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Marxer, Wilfred (10 March 2020). "Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "Liechtenstein". Europe Elects. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "Landtag election 2021". Government of Liechtenstein.
- ^ "Rehak and Elkuch turn their backs on DU". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 17 August 2018.
- ^ "The new party is called DPL". Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 21 September 2018.
- ^ 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.
External links edit
- Official website (in German)