| Country: | Liechtenstein |
| The Independents | |
| Native Name: | Die Unabhängigen |
| Leader: | Pio Schurti |
| Split: | Patriotic Union |
| Foundation: | 2013 |
| Abbreviation: | DU |
| Headquarters: | Feldkircherstrasse 50 LI-9494 Schaan |
| Position: | Right-wing |
| Colours: | Black, White (official) Yellow (customary) |
| Native Name Lang: | deu |
| Seats1 Title: | Landtag |
| Seats2 Title: | Mayors |
| Seats3 Title: | Municipal Councils |
| Website: | www.du4.li/ |
The Independents (de|Die Unabhängigen; abbreviated DU, meaning "YOU" in German) is a right-wing populist Eurosceptic political party in Liechtenstein. In the 2013 parliamentary election, the first they contested, they won 29,740 votes (15.3%) and four seats in the Landtag.[1]
International commentators suggested that the party had benefited from protest votes against austerity measures.[2] [3] From 2013 to 2021 it was led by former Patriotic Union Landtag member Harry Quaderer, and since 2021 by Pio Schurti.
DU is not a party in the traditional sense, having incorporated as a party solely to take advantage of the financial and political rights associated with that status; its platform calls for Members of the Landtag to be able to vote based on their own convictions rather than party pressures.[4] According to Leiden University political science professor Wouter Veenendaal, the DU has an ideology "similar to that of the Progressive Citizens' Party and the Patriotic Union but its style is brasher."
The DU is "critical about migration and European integration."[5] In 2015, the party called for Liechtenstein to reject the European Union's proposed resettlement of refugees, specifically stating that the EU policies "led by Merkel's Germany" were absurd.[6]
On 16 August 2018, Landtag member Erich Hasler was expelled from the DU under controversial circumstances. Thomas Rehak and Herbert Elkuch, also members of the Landtag representing the DU, subsequently left the party in opposition to Hasler's expulsion.[7] The three went on to form the Democrats for Liechtenstein, leaving the DU with only two seats in the Landtag.[8] The party suffered a major defeat in the 2021 Liechtenstein general election, loosing its two remaining seats in the Landtag.[9] In October of the same year, Harry Quaderer stepped down as leader and was succeeded by Pio Schurti.[10]
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Rank | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Harry Quaderer | 29,739 | 15.32 | New | 3rd | ||
| 2017 | 35,885 | 18.41 | 1 | 3rd | |||
| 2021 | 8,556 | 4.24 | 3 | 5th | |||