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Second Otmar Hasler cabinet

The Second Otmar Hasler cabinet was the governing body of Liechtenstein from 21 March 2005 to 25 March 2009. It was appointed by Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and was chaired by Otmar Hasler.

Second Otmar Hasler cabinet

Government of Liechtenstein
Date formed25 March 2005 (2005-03-25)
Date dissolved21 April 2009 (2009-04-21)
People and organisations
Head of stateHans-Adam II
Alois (regent)
Head of governmentOtmar Hasler
Deputy head of governmentKlaus Tschütscher
Total no. of members5
Member partiesFBP
VU
Status in legislatureCoalition
22 / 25 (88%)
Opposition partyFree List
History
Election2005
PredecessorFirst Otmar Hasler cabinet
SuccessorKlaus Tschütscher cabinet

History

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See also: 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair

The 2005 Liechtenstein general election resulted in a win for the Progressive Citizens' Party.[1] As a result, the First Otmar Hasler cabinet was dissolved with Otmar Hasler continuing as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein.[2] The Progressive Citizens' Party and Patriotic Union once again entered into a coalition government.[3]

During the government's term, the 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair took place, where millions of euros belonging to hundreds of citizens living in Germany were channeled into the LGT Bank and other banks in Liechtenstein,[4] taking advantage of Liechtenstein-based trusts to evade paying taxes in Germany.[5] The affair overshadowed the previously planned visit of Otmar Hasler, the prime minister of Liechtenstein, to Berlin on February 19, 2008, to meet with the minister of finance, Peer Steinbrück, and the chancellor, Angela Merkel.[6][7] Merkel asked for help in the investigation and cooperation in prevention of tax evasion, pointing out that Liechtenstein provided the US Internal Revenue Service with some data but not the German Ministry of Finances.[8]

The newspaper Die Welt described the event as a "government crisis".[9] Alois, called the investigations an "attack" on Liechtenstein by the Federal Republic and considered pursuing legal remedies.[10] As a result of the affair, the government entered negotiations with a number of countries to discuss tax avoidance issues. It reached an agreement with the United Kingdom in 2009 that will allow the about 5,000 British customers of Liechtenstein's banks that hold for them about £2-3 billion in secret accounts to come clear with British tax authorities under terms of a significantly reduced penalty.[11] The agreement opened up Liechtenstein's banks to greater transparency, but remains controversial in Liechtenstein; some banks feared that clients would move their money elsewhere.[11]

The 2009 Liechtenstein general election resulted in a win for the Patriotic Union.[12] As a result, the cabinet was dissolved and Hasler was by Klaus Tschütscher succeeded in the Klaus Tschütscher cabinet.[2]

Members

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Picture Name Term Role Party
Prime Minister
  Otmar Hasler 21 March 2005 – 25 March 2009
  • Finance
  • Construction
 Progressive Citizens' Party
Deputy Prime Minister
  Klaus Tschütscher 21 March 2005 – 25 March 2009
  • Justice
  • Business
  • Sport
 Patriotic Union
Government councillors
  Rita Kieber-Beck 21 March 2005 – 25 March 2009
  • Foreign affairs
  • Culture
  • Family
 Progressive Citizens' Party
  Martin Meyer 21 March 2005 – 25 March 2009
  • Interior
  • Health
  • Transport
  • Communication
 Progressive Citizens' Party
  Hugo Quaderer 21 March 2005 – 25 March 2009
  • Social services
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Agriculture
  • Forestry
 Patriotic Union

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1166 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ^ a b "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Zeichen stehen auf Große Koalition" (in German). Der Standard. 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  4. ^ Keuchel, Jan; Andresen, Tino (2008-02-16). "Nächste Woche knallt es wieder". Handelsblatt (in German). Archived from the original on 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  5. ^ "In Deutschland bahnt sich riesiger Steuerskandal an". Agence France Presse (in German). 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
  6. ^ Moore, Matt (2008-02-18). "Germany expands probe of Liechtenstein tax evasion". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  7. ^ "Regierungschef Otmar Hasler bei Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel" (Press release) (in German). 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2008-03-05.
  8. ^ Pfanner, Eric; Landler, Mark (2008-02-20). "Tax Inquiry? Principality Is Offended". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Tausende Verdächtige in Steueraffäre". Die Welt Online (in German). 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  10. ^ Pfanner, Eric; Landler, Mark (2008-02-19). "Liechtenstein defends its banks in German tax-evasion inquiry". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  11. ^ a b Simonian H (August 12, 2009). "Liechtenstein in talks with Germany on transparency". Financial Times.
  12. ^ "Landtagswahlen 2009" (in German). 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
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