Chamber:
	Landtag
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	11 February 2001
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office
Background and outcome of elections:
	The 2001 elections were marked by a significant swelling in the size of the electorate. Some 16,500 people or 1,800 more than at the last vote in 1997, were registered to vote. This increase was due to a recent lowering of the voting age from 20 to 18 years and the fact that 800 people had taken Liechtenstein nationality. During the months before the elections, Liechtenstein found itself under international scrutiny because of scandals involving money laundering and secret funds. In June 2000 the OCDE blacklisted the country for lack of cooperation in the fight against money laundering. Since then, the Government has tried to clean up its image and new anti-money laundering laws have been adopted. Nevertheless, these major international subjects were not the main points in the campaign, and the debate focused on the cost of health insurance and the poor performance of the telephone system since its liberalisation. Another main campaign subject was the dispute between the Government and Prince Hans Adam II over his proposals for constitutional changes that would give him sweeping powers and undermine Government and Parliament. One of his most controversial proposals concerned the Prince's right to appoint judges and, if Parliament does not like his choice, to call a referendum. At present, Parliament appoints judges but needs princely approval. The Prince also wanted the right to dissolve Cabinet or Parliament. The outgoing Government was opposed to the changes. Voter turnout came to 86.7 per cent, only slightly less than in 1997, when 86.9 per cent of the electorate had exercised their right to vote. Results showed that with a gain in votes of 10.7 per cent as compared to elections in 1997, the Progressive Citizens' Party won three more seats and would be represented with 13 seats, while the Patriotic Union won 11 seats, a drop of two. The small environmentally oriented Free List won the remaining seat. In April 2001, Mr Otmar Hasler, the leader of the Progressive Citizens' Party, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (11 February 2001): Elections results
Number of registered electors	16 350
Voters	14 178 (87 %)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	160
Valid votes	14 018

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	%
Progressive Citizens' Party (FBPL)	49.90
Patriotic Union (VU)	41.13
Free List (FL)	8.80

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
Progressive Citizens' Party (FBPL)	13
Patriotic Union (VU)	11
Free List (FL)	1

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	22
Women:	3
Percent of women:	12.00