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.[7] 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."[2]
The DU is "critical about migration and European integration."[3] 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.[8]
On 16 August 2018, Landtag member Erich Hasler was expelled from the DU due to disagreements with Harry Quaderer regarding party organization and membership.[9]Thomas Rehak and Herbert Elkuch, also members of the Landtag representing the DU, subsequently left the party in opposition to Hasler's expulsion.[10] The following month, the three went on to form the Democrats for Liechtenstein, leaving the DU with only two seats in the Landtag.[10][11] The party suffered a major defeat in the 2021 Liechtenstein general election, losing its two remaining seats in the Landtag.[12] In October of the same year, Harry Quaderer stepped down as leader and was succeeded by Pio Schurti.[13]
^"About Us". Die Unabhängigen. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
^Quaderer, Harry (5 October 2015). "Landtag befasst sich mit Flüchtlingspolitik". Die Unabhängigen (in German). Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017. Was für eine EU-Aussenpolitik ist das, die wir da unterstützen, wenn wir diesem absurden EU-Flüchtlings-Quoten-Mechanismus beitreten? Die EU, angeführt von Merkel-Deutschland, scheint unfähig, ihren Einfluss im Nahen Osten geltend zu machen und auf einen Frieden hinzuwirken.
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