Brigitte Haas is set to become the first female head of Liechtenstein’s government, following a national election this week.
Her party, the Fatherland Union, won 38.3 per cent of votes, according to the official results of the nation’s election on Sunday. The largest party traditionally appoints the prime minister.
The Progressive Citizens Party finished in second place with 27.5 per cent of the vote.
Haas is a lawyer and managing director of the country’s chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is expected to succeed Daniel Risch, a member of her own party who decided not to seek another term.
A small principality, Liechtenstein has only ever had male prime ministers since the job was introduced in 1921.
With a population of about 39,000 people, the microstate is a constitutional hereditary monarchy. There’s a balance of power between the monarchy and its people, represented in parliament.
Geographically, the nation borders Switzerland and Austria, and it has close ties in particular with Switzerland, with which it has a customs and currency union.
Prince Hans-Adam II is head of state but his eldest son, Prince Alois, has performed his duties since 2004 as regent. Following a 2003 referendum that gave the monarchy more power, Prince Alois now has the authority to veto laws. The ruling prince can also appoint judges and fire the government, in an unusually powerful monarchy system by European standards.
Liechtenstein was the last country in Europe to grant universal suffrage. Women only won the right to vote in the country in 1984.
Globally, women remain largely excluded from positions of power and diplomacy.
In June 2024, the UN Women’s global data on Women Political Leaders 2024 revealed that out of the 193 Member States the UN recognises, one hundred and thirteen countries had never had a woman serve as Head of State or Government.
Haas is expected to step into the role of Liechenstein’s prime minister on March 20.