General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 11 March 1918, with a second round on 18 March.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1164 They were the first elections held in the country contested by political parties, as the Christian-Social People's Party and Progressive Citizens' Party had been founded that year.Nohlen & Stöver, p1157 The Progressive Citizens' Party emerged as the largest in the Landtag, winning seven of the 12 elected seats.Nohlen & Stöver, p1182
Electoral system The electoral system was changed prior to the 1918 elections to allow for direct elections using a majoritarian system, and led to the creation of the new parties.Nohlen & Stöver, p1158 The country was divided into two constituencies, with Oberland electing seven members and three substitutes and Unterland electing five members and two substitutes. Voters wrote down the names of as many candidates as there were seats on the ballot paper, and after assembling in the polling station, were called by name to cast their ballot. If fewer candidates than the number of seats received over 50% of the vote, a second round was held in which the number of candidates was double the number of remaining seats. The remaining three seats were appointed by the Prince.
Only men aged 24 or over were allowed to vote.
Results
By electoral district
First round Electoral districtSeatsPartySeatswonElected membersOberland7Christian-Social People's Party5Progressive Citizens' Party1Fritz WalserUnterland5Progressive Citizens' Party3Christian-Social People's Party0–Source: VogtPaul Vogt (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag. Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Second round Electoral districtSeatsPartySeatswonElected membersOberland1Progressive Citizens' Party1Johann WangerChristian-Social People's Party0–Unterland2Progressive Citizens' Party2Christian-Social People's Party0–Source: Vogt
References