Gerard Batliner

Gerard Batliner (9 December 1928 – 25 June 2008) was a lawyer and politician from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1962 to 1970. A member of the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), he later served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1974 to 1982 and as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1974 to 1977. Additionally, he held numerous positions within the Council of Europe.

Initially working as a lawyer in Vaduz, Batliner entered politics as the vice president of the FBP and deputy mayor of Eschen. He succeeded Alexander Frick as prime minister following his resignation in July 1962, and upon taking office was the youngest head of government in Europe. His term in office focused on expanding Liechtenstein's foreign affairs, particularly towards membership in the Council of Europe. It also involved the introduction of numerous welfare laws and organizations. Following an electoral defeat, he resigned in February 1970.

Batliner returned to politics in 1974 when he was elected to the Landtag of Liechtenstein, for which he also served as its president from 1974 to 1977. He held positions in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, European Commission of Human Rights and Venice Commission. Outside of politics, he was involved in numerous academic circles, initiating the founding of and directing the Liechtenstein Institute in 1986. He died in 2008.

Early life and career Batliner was born on 9 December 1928 in Eschen as the son of farmer Andreas Batliner and Karolina Schafhauser as one of six children. He attended secondary school in Schwyz until 1948. After conducting an apprenticeship in an industrial company, he studied law in Zurich, Fribourg, and Paris from, receiving a doctor of laws in 1957. In January 1951 Batliner, alongside Georg Malin and Felix Marxer, founded the Liechtenstein Academic Society. From 1956, he worked as an independent lawyer in the capital of Vaduz. he succeeded the role from Alexander Frick following his resignation the same month. Additionally, he held the government roles of foreign affairs, finance, education, and culture.

During his time in office, Batliner's government worked in expanding Liechtenstein's foreign affairs, particularly working towards the country's accession into the Council of Europe. Additionally, his term in office included the founding, among other things, the Liechtenstein Music School in 1963, the Liechtenstein Development Service in 1965, and the Liechtenstein State Art Collection in 1969.

His government was also responsible for expanding Liechtenstein's welfare, with the creation of the Liechtenstein Development Service in 1965, the welfare office in 1966 and the Association for Special Education Assistance in 1967; unemployment insurance was introduced to Liechtenstein in 1969. however, in the elections the VU received a majority for the first time since its founding in 1936. As a result, Batliner resigned as prime minister and was succeeded by his deputy Alfred Hilbe of the VU on 18 March. Additionally, he also chaired the Landtag's state, finance, and foreign affair committees at times.

During the 1992 Liechtenstein constitutional crisis, Batliner, among other notable politicians, formed the Nonpartisan Committee for Monarchy and Democracy and called for a demonstration against Hans-Adam II's threatened dissolution of the Landtag and government due to disagreements regarding the date of a referendum to Liechtenstein's accession to the European Economic Area. As a result, approximately 2,000 people demonstrated in front of the government house in Vaduz. Batliner was involved in mediating a compromise between the government and prince. However, the changes were ultimately accepted by voters.

Personal life He received honorary degrees from the University of Basel and Innsbruck. Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein (1967)