General elections were held in Liechtenstein on 6 February 1949 to elect the 15 members of the Landtag. The Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won eight seats and retained its majority, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven. Voter turnout was 92.3%.

Similarly to previous elections, the election campaign was characterized by accusations of misconduct from both parties; with the FBP accusing the VU of involvement in the 1928 Liechtenstein embezzlement scandal and the VU accusing the FBP of incivility. Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of prime minister Alexander Frick remained. The same year, the VU demanded that the position of president of the Landtag be rotated annually between the two parties, being accepted for the 1953–1957 legislative period.

Background In the 1945 general elections, the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) retained its majority of eight seats, while the Patriotic Union (VU) won seven. The coalition government under the leadership of Josef Hoop remained, but he would resign in September amidst pressure from Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein to do so, as the prince believed that post-war Liechtenstein required a change of leadership. He was succeeded by Alexander Frick, who maintained the coalition government, and in 1946 at the request of Franz Joseph II it was declared binding.

Frick's term in office was characterized by the challenge of the pro-Axis First Russian National Army which had taken refuge in Liechtenstein near the end of World War II. Despite pressure from the Soviet Union to extradite the Russians, the Liechtenstein government refused to do so. According to Frick, with the support of Franz Joseph II, the Russians were at no point in danger of being extradited and they were granted asylum until 1948. His term also saw other challenges such as the transfer of the Ellhorn mountain to Switzerland in 1948 and the social re-integration of the former members of the Nazi German National Movement in Liechtenstein, though seven participants of the failed 1939 putsch were convicted in 1946. Electoral system The 15 members of the Landtag were elected by open list proportional representation from two constituencies, Oberland with 9 seats and Unterland with 6 seats. Voters vote for a party list and then may strike through candidates for whom they do not wish to cast a preferential vote, and may add names of candidates from other lists. The electoral threshold to win a seat is 18%. Landtag members sit for a four-year term. Once formed, the Landtag elects the prime minister and two government councillors who govern in a cabinet. The prime minister is appointed for a six-year term, while government councillors sit a four-year term. Only men aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.

Campaign

Both the FBP and VU campaigned on their respective party newspapers, the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt and Liechtensteiner Vaterland. During the election campaign, the FBP highlighted its achievements in office, such as the construction of the Liechtenstein inland canal, the expansion/improvement of roads, social legislation, and the building of an embankment on the Rhine. The FBP also criticized the VU for the financial policies of its predecessor party, the Christian-Social People's Party, and also the VU in connection to the 1928 embezzlement scandal.

On the other hand, the VU appealed to workers and campaigned on protecting their interests. In addition, the party also highlighted its work in expanding social legislation and insurance. The VU criticized the FBP for conducting a campaign based on hostility; the VU compared criticism for the 1928 embezzlement scandal to "digging out a dusty plate" and accused the FBP of "malice" for connecting the VU to it.

Candidates Political parties in Liechtenstein require the support of 30 voters from a constituency to be eligible to nominate a candidate list in it. A total of 30 candidates contested the election. OberlandFBPVU David Strub Gustav Ospelt Tobias Jehle Fidel Brunhart Josef Negele Johann Beck Emil Falk Hans Büchel Engelbert Schädler Alois Ritter Wendelin Beck Heinrich Andreas Brunhart Johann Wachter Alois Vogt

Franz Vogt Josef Sele Franz Hilbe Theobold RischUnterlandFBPVU Eugen Schädler Rudolf Marxer Oswald Bühler Johann Georg Hasler Hugo Kind Eduard Oehri Josef Marxer Johann Georg Hasler Arnold Hoop Alois Hassler Chrisostomus Öhri Ludwig MarockSource: Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, Liechtensteiner Vaterland

Results The seat distribution remained unchanged from the 1945 elections, with the FBP winning a majority of eight seats, whereas the VU won seven. Voter turnout was 92.30%.

By electoral district Electoral districtSeatsElectoratePartyElected membersSubstitutesVotes%SeatsOberland92,178Patriotic Union1,01852.15Progressive Citizens' Party93547.94Unterland61,107Progressive Citizens' Party62062.94Patriotic Union36537.12Source: Vogt

Aftermath

Following the elections, the coalition government between the FBP and VU under the leadership of Frick remained. The same year, the VU demanded that the position of president of the Landtag be rotated annually between the two parties, and this demand was accepted but only for the 1953–1957 legislative period.

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