Brigitte Haas Becomes Liechtenstein's First Female Prime Minister

The 60-year-old jurist and political newcomer leads her conservative party to victory, marking a historic shift in the traditionally male-dominated microstate.

• Brigitte Haas of the Vaterländische Union (VU) won the parliamentary elections with 38.8% of the vote, becoming Liechtenstein's first female prime minister since the role's creation in 1921.
• Haas, a jurist and former head of the nation's Chamber of Commerce, ran a pragmatic, policy-focused campaign, contrasting with her opponent Ernst Walch's controversial approach.
• The Fortschrittliche Bürgerpartei (FBP), led by Walch, suffered significant losses, dropping to 27.5% of the vote, while the right-wing Democrats pro Liechtenstein (DpL) gained ground with 23.3%.
• Liechtenstein's parliament remains dominated by three conservative parties—VU, FBP, and DpL—holding 23 of 25 seats, as the left-leaning Freie Liste loses influence.
• Haas is expected to continue her party's internationalist policies, maintaining strong ties with neighboring countries Austria and Switzerland.

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