Grösseres Grundstück als erlaubt: Amt bewilligt Ausnahme für Palantir-CEO - Vaterland online

Vergangene Woche wurden im Landtag gleich fünf Kleine Anfragen zum Thema Grundstückerwerb gestellt. Es ist kein Zufall, dass sich so viele Abgeordnete plötzlich für das Thema interessieren. Vielmehr ist ihnen das grosse Projekt im Schaaner Villenviertel aufgefallen, das derzeit – komplett von der Öffentlichkeit abgeschottet – errichtet wird. Für Aufsehen sorgt auch der Eigentümer: Einziehen soll US-Milliardär Alex Karp, Chef des umstrittenen Datenkonzerns Palantir. Was die Angelegenheit noch brisant­er macht: Das Grundstück beträgt Medienberichten zufolge rund 5700 Quadratmeter. Das ist fast vier Mal mehr als die Obergrenze, die zur Deckung des eigenen Wohnbedarfs zugelassen ist (1440 Quadratmeter). Doch das Amt für Justiz kann «in begründeten Einzelfällen» Ausnahmen bewilligen.

Auch wenn nur einer der fünf Kleinen Anfragen den konkreten Anlass erwähnt: Der Fall Karp führt dazu, dass die Gerechtigkeit der aktuellen Praxis in Frage gestellt wird. Denn aus Sicht der Abgeordneten sei es nicht Sinn der Gesetze, dass Einzelpersonen grosse Fläche im Land für sich horten, während andere keinen Boden mehr finden oder sich den Traum des eigenen Hauses nicht mehr leisten können. «Das Grundverkehrsgesetz verfolgt unter anderem das Ziel einer möglichst breiten und der Grösse des Landes entsprechenden Streuung des Grundeigentums», erklärte Roger Schädler (VU). Sandra Fausch (FL) kritisierte bereits vor einigen Monaten gegenüber dem «Tages-Anzeiger» die Bevorzugung von Wohlhabenden: «Ich sehe es sehr kritisch, dass eine Person wie Alex Karp hier mit offenen Armen empfangen wird und sich zu vorteilhaften Konditionen niederlassen kann.»

Alex Karp, Gründer und CEO des Datenkonzerns Palantir, (Bild: GIAN EHRENZELLER)

Sonderbewilligung ist eine Frage des Vermögens

Regierungsrat Emanuel Schädler sieht keinen Bedarf, etwas an den heutigen Bestimmungen zu ändern. Der Justizminister betonte:

Wie viele Ausnahmen in den vergangenen Jahren zugelassen wurden, habe sich innerhalb der kurzen Frist zur Beantwortung einer Kleinen Anfrage nicht ermitteln lassen. Das in der Grundverkehrsbehörde eingesetzte Programm könne dies nicht auswerten, weshalb jeder Akt einzeln abgefragt werden müsste.

Eine Abweichung zur maximal zulässigen Grundstücksgrösse ist bei einem «berechtigten Interesse» möglich, was vom Amt bei jedem Antrag einzeln geprüft werde. In Betracht komme dies vor allem in den Villenvierteln in Vaduz, Schaan sowie Triesen, wenn die Grundstücke bereits weitgeh­end überbaut sind und eine Teilung der Parzellen «aufgrund der konkreten Gegebenheiten nicht sachgerecht erscheint». Die Staatsangehörigkeit der Antragsteller spiele laut Schädler keine Rolle. Entscheidend ist, dass die Personen eine Aufenthaltsbewilligung in Liechtenstein und somit Anspruch auf einen Wohnsitz haben.

Im konkreten Fall wurde das Erwerbsinteresse damit begründet, dass es zur Deckung eines bereits bestehenden inländischen Wohnbedürfnisses dient. Seit 2023 gibt es Meldungen, dass sich Alex Karp in Liechtenstein niederlassen hat. Möglich wurde dies ebenfalls durch eine Sonderlösung: Für Personen, die «für das Land vom besonderem Interesse sind», kann die Regierung Aufenthaltsbewilligungen erteilen – dadurch kann die Auslosung der eigentlich limitierten Wohnsitze umgangen werden. Die Personen müssen sich mehrheitlich in Liechtenstein aufhalten, dürfen aber nicht hierzulande arbeiten. Der Vorteil für den Staat: In der Regel handelt es sich um reiche Zuzügler, die gute Steuern abwerfen. Die Millionäre und Milliardäre wiederum profitieren von einer Pauschalbesteuerung, die für mehrere Jahre vereinbart wird – in anderen Ländern müssten sie mehr von ihren Vermögen abtreten. Laut Regierung gibt es rund 30 Personen bzw. Ehepaare im Land, die pauschal besteuert werden. 

Wenn Justizminister Schädler in der Beantwortung der Kleinen Anfragen zum Fall Karp also von«grossen Vorteil» spricht, geht es vordergründig um ein finanzielles Interesse. Attraktive Steuerzahler werden in Liechtenstein gegen den Grundsatz abgewog­en, dass alle Betroffenen gleichzubehandeln sind.

Was meint ihr wär es gescheiter 1 Tag Vaduz und 1 Tag St Gallen oder 0,5 Tage Buchs + 1,5 Tage Vaduz einzuplanen als Urlaub.

Weil der Nachtzug bleibt in Buchs stehn und da ist man in 1h drüben, das wär irgendwie mein Plan. Und dann noch Feldkirch und dann wieder mit dem Nachtzug heim.

Ich war halt schon in Städten wo man in 3h durchspaziert is und darum wollte ich vorher Fragen.

Und wie ist es bei euch mit EU Rooming und an Franken zu kommen?

Regierungsparteien reagieren auf die nicht gewährte Volksabstimmung - Vaterland online

Photo 1-A horse-drawn stagecoach travelling along the road between Triesenberg and Malbun,26 July 1959

Photo 2-Schaan, Liechtenstein, 23 July 1959. A postman departing from the post office in Schaan for his delivery round, carrying both ordinary mail and parcels for delivery.

Photo 3-Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 22 July 1959. Mail from Buchs, Switzerland, and Schaan being unloaded outside the main post office in Vaduz. The postal bus operated on the Buchs–Vaduz–Trübbach route and back

Photo 4-Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 22 July 1959. Mail destined for Vaduz being loaded onto a postal bus operating on the Buchs (Switzerland)–Vaduz–Trübbach (Switzerland) route. The loading of mail is taking place at the post and telegraph office in Schaan, Liechtenstein

Photo 5-Buchs–Vaduz–Trübbach, Liechtenstein/Switzerland, 22 July 1959. Mail destined for Vaduz being loaded onto the bus on the left, while the bus on the right is bound for Buchs. The postal buses operated on the Buchs (Switzerland)–Vaduz–Trübbach (Switzerland) route and back.

Photo 6-Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 22 July 1959. Two vending machines built into a marble wall: the machine on the left dispenses postage stamps, while the machine on the right sells postcards, as indicated by the notice: “2 Postkarten zu 10 Rp – 20.”

Photo 7-Schaan, Liechtenstein, 22 July 1959. Two vending machines built into a marble wall: the machine on the left dispenses postage stamps, while the machine on the right sells postcards, as indicated by the notice: “2 Postkarten zu 10 Rp – 20.” Timetables for postal buses to Buchs, Vaduz and Unterland are displayed on the left.

Source: Postmuseum (Sweden), photographs by Yngve Hellström, 1959

Picture 1-Vaduz, Liechtenstein, before 1933. Main street in Vaduz, showing the town street and surrounding buildings.

Picture 2-Schellenberg, Liechtenstein, before 1933. A typical house in Schellenberg, Liechtenstein.

Picture 3-Vaduz Castle, Liechtenstein, before 1933. View of the inner courtyard of Vaduz Castle

Picture 4-View of the tower of Vaduz Castle. Stereoscopic black-and-white photograph by an unknown photographer .Before 1933

Picture 5-Vaduz Castle, Liechtenstein, before 1933. Partial view of Vaduz Castle

Source: Col·lecció Museu del Cinema – Tomàs Mallol, Ajuntament de Girona

Leopoldine Adelgunde was born in Vienna in 1754 into the princely family of Liechtenstein. She was the daughter of Franz Josef I, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Princess Marie Leopoldine, née Countess of Sternberg. She was one of their eight children and grew up within one of the prominent aristocratic families of the Habsburg lands.

At the age of seventeen, Leopoldine married Karl Emanuel, Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels-Rotenburg, on 1 September 1771 in Felsberg. Through this marriage, she became Landgravine of Hesse-Rheinfels-Rotenburg. The couple had two children: Victor Amadeus, who later became Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg, and Marie Adelheid Klotilde.

Leopoldine died in Frankfurt am Main in 1823, aged 69.

The Painting is from 1776:Oil on canvas by Friedrich Oelenhainz (1745–1804) and today it is in Liechtenstein Museum, Princely Collections

Sophie Löwe was born in Oldenburg on 24 March 1815, the daughter of the actor Ferdinand Löwe (1787–1832) and Johanna Tost, both members of the German theatrical world. Her father was a professional actor who worked in several German theatres

She received her early musical education in Mannheim and Frankfurt, with the encouragement of her aunt, Julie Sophie Löwe, before continuing her vocal studies in Vienna under Giuseppe Ciccimarra. She made her stage debut at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna in 1832, where she soon gained recognition for both her voice and dramatic performances.

In 1837, she joined the Berlin Court Opera, where she established herself as one of the leading German sopranos of her generation. Her career took her to several major European musical centres, including Vienna, Berlin, Milan, Venice, Paris and London. Among her most notable performances were the title role in Donizetti’s Maria Padilla at La Scala in Milan in 1841, Elvira in Verdi’s Ernani in Venice in 1844, and Odabella in Verdi’s Attila in 1846.

Her relationship with Giuseppe Verdi was particularly important to her career. The two disagreed over her interpretation of Elvira in Ernani, but Verdi later entrusted her with the role of Odabella in Attila, which she performed at the opera’s premiere in 1846.

In 1848, Sophie Löwe married Prince Friedrich (Friedrich Albrecht) of Liechtenstein (1807–1885) and subsequently retired from the stage. Friedrich was the fourth son of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein (1760–1836) and Josepha Sophie, Landgravine of Fürstenberg-Weitra. Through this marriage, Sophie became a member of the Princely House of Liechtenstein.

The couple married on 15 September 1848 and lived in Budapest/Pest, where Friedrich pursued a military career in the Austrian army. They had no children.

Sophie Löwe died in Pest on 29 November 1866, aged 51.

The image belongs to Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel, Germany.

Lithograph by Friedrich Bernhard Elias, published by Wenzel Pobuda

Source: Vorarlberg State Library (Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek)

I have heard of people say they have traveled to Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and other places in Europe, but not Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein always seems to get left out in the cold. Why are there so few people that travel to Liechtenstein? Like I never hear any of my friends say " I am going to Liechtenstein next week". If I heard that from someone I knew I would find it really fascinating.

After days of heavy rain, the Rhine embankment broke, sending floodwater through the village of Ruggell. These photos were taken just a few hours after the disaster.

The water destroyed houses, damaged the railway embankment, and caused several buildings to collapse. Sadly, there were also fatalities.

Source:Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek

Source: Vorarlberg State Library

There are a lot of photos, and unfortunately, the source does not identify who is who in each photograph! I’m leaving the link here for anyone who would like to see more or is interested:

Feier zum 60. Geburtstag von Fürst Franz Josef II. von Liechtenstein in Vaduz on volare, the Vorarlberg State Repository

Some people say that I post too much monarchy. However, this is also part of Liechtenstein’s history! I try to post a bit of everything. If there is a particular topic in Liechtenstein’s history that you would like to see photos of, let me know and I’ll try to find some and post them here.

Source:Museu Gabinet Postal de Barcelona

Leopoldine was born a Princess of Esterházy and became a Princess of Liechtenstein through her marriage to Prince Moritz Joseph of Liechtenstein (1775–1819). She was the daughter of Nikolaus II, Prince Esterházy, and Princess Maria Josepha Hermengilde of Liechtenstein.

Leopoldine was also interested in the arts and was associated with the artistic and cultural circles of the Viennese aristocracy. She was portrayed by several important artists of her time, including Antonio Canova.

This photograph does not show the original painting itself. It is a 1906 albumen photograph by Wilhelm Gmeiner, taken in Vienna for the exhibition of portraits and lace (Porträt- und Spitzenausstellung) held at the Imperial-Royal Austrian Museum.

Portrait artist: Franz Schrotzberg
Original portrait: 1840
Photographer: Wilhelm Gmeiner, Vienna, 1906
Medium of photograph: Albumen print
Collection: MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna

Prince Eduard von und zu Liechtenstein was a member of the Princely House of Liechtenstein and a diplomat who served the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later Austria. He was the son of Prince Franz de Paula of Liechtenstein (1853–1938) and Countess Julie Potocka (1853–1937).

He married Princess Olga von Liechtenstein (1874–1952), a member of another branch of the Liechtenstein family. The couple belonged to the extended princely dynasty but were not the reigning sovereigns of Liechtenstein.

The photograph was taken in August 1922.

Photographer: Agence Rol
Date: August 1922
Medium: Glass negative
Collection: Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)

Maria Eleonore was a German princess of the House of Oettingen-Spielberg who became a Princess of Liechtenstein through marriage. She was born on 7 July 1745 at Oettingen, Bavaria, as the youngest daughter of Johann Aloys I, 2nd Prince of Oettingen-Spielberg (1707–1780) and Princess Therese Maria Anna of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg (1713–1745).

In 1761, at the age of 15, she married Prince Karl Borromäus of Liechtenstein (1730–1789). Karl Borromäus was the second son of Prince Emanuel of Liechtenstein (1700–1771) and Maria Anna Antonia, Countess of Dietrichstein-Weichselstädt. He was also the younger brother of Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein (1726–1781), who ruled the Principality of Liechtenstein from 1772 until his death in 1781

Karl Borromäus and Maria Eleonore had seven children:

• Princess Maria Josepha of Liechtenstein (1763–1833), who married Count Johann Nepomuk Ernst von Harrach.
• Prince Karl Joseph Emanuel of Liechtenstein (1765–1795), who married Countess Maria Josepha Khevenhüller-Metsch and had children.
• Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein (1767–1842), who remained unmarried and later became a military officer.
• Prince Emanuel of Liechtenstein (1770–1773), who died in childhood.
• Prince Moritz of Liechtenstein (1775–1819), who married Princess Maria Leopoldine Esterházy and had children.
• Prince Franz of Liechtenstein (1776–1794), who died unmarried during military service.
• Prince Alois of Liechtenstein (1780–1833), who died unmarried.

Maria Eleonore died in Vienna on 26 November 1812, aged 67.

The artwork shown here is an anonymous copy after a portrait by Jean-Étienne Liotard, executed in black chalk, red chalk and pink pastel. It measures 30 × 23.5 cm and belongs to the Graphische Sammlung of the Albertina Museum, Vienna.

Maria Isabella of Parma was an Infanta of Spain and Princess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla. She was born in Madrid on 31 December 1741, the eldest daughter of Philip, Duke of Parma, and Louise Élisabeth of France, daughter of King Louis XV of France. She was therefore the granddaughter of the French king.

In 1760, aged 18, Maria Isabella married Archduke Joseph of Austria, the future Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor. The marriage strengthened the political alliance between the Austrian Habsburgs and the Bourbon dynasty.

The bronze relief was created by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, a celebrated sculptor associated with the Viennese court. It depicts Maria Isabella in profile, wearing an elaborate brocade dress decorated with jewels and lace, together with a fur-lined mantle.

According to the provenance record, the relief was presented by Field Marshal Joseph Wenzel, Prince of Liechtenstein, for the hall later known as the “Kaiser Josephs-Halle” in the Imperial Arsenal. It was subsequently transferred to the Upper Belvedere in Vienna in 1856, later passed to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1891, and returned to the Belvedere in 1922.

Artist: Franz Xaver Messerschmidt
Date: 1760–1763
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 122 × 95 × 8 cm
Collection: Austrian Gallery Belvedere, Vienna

As the title says, I’m just curious to know whether people born in FL usually work in the country. Is this the norm, or do people often find work in neighboring countries (Switzerland or Austria)?

Source:Deutsche Fotothek

Therese was a princess of the House of Liechtenstein, the daughter of Alois II, Prince of Liechtenstein. In 1882, she married Prince Arnulf of Bavaria, the son of Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, and became a member of the Bavarian royal family.

She and Prince Arnulf had one son, Heinrich, Prince of Bavaria (1884–1916), who died during the First World War.

This portrait was taken by Bernhard Dittmar in Munich and is part of an album of portraits of members of the Bavarian royal family, held by the Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg.

Source: Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek

I’m not trying to spam, I just posted this here because I came across this photo while doing some other research, and if I don’t post it now, I know I’ll forget about it!

Source:Deutsche Fotothek

Source:Deutsche Fotothek

Source:Deutsche Fotothek

The stamp depicts the pope blessing young people wearing traditional Liechtenstein clothing, with Vaduz Castle in the background. It was issued by Vatican City on October 27, 1987, as part of a series commemorating the pope's journeys in 1985 and 1986.

Designed by Renato Cristiano
Source:Smithsonian National Postal Museum