Austria's Chamber System: An Overview

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two chambers: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council is the dominant chamber and is made up of 183 members who are elected through proportional representation in a general election. The Federal Council, on the other hand, is elected indirectly through the provincial assemblies of the nine states of the Federal Republic. While the Federal Council has to approve every new law decided by the National Council, the latter can usually overrule the Federal Council's refusal to approve. In addition to the two chambers, there is also the Federal Assembly, which is a joint session of both houses that convenes for ceremonial purposes or in exceptional circumstances, such as the impeachment of a Federal President.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has 517,477 members across 9 State Chambers and 110 trade associations

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is the federal parent organisation for the nine State Chambers and 110 trade associations for different industries within Austria's system of economy. It has 517,477 members across these chambers and associations.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is financially self-sufficient, with around 85% of its expenditure covered by member contributions and the remaining 15% by revenues from marketable sales. This factor, combined with organisational management through democratic self-government, makes the chamber independent from public authorities.

Compulsory membership by Austrian federal law is automatic with obtaining the operating licence of the company and thus includes all Austrian companies in operation. The resultant membership of 517,477 active businesses as per 2017 includes diverse sectors such as trade and craft, commerce, industry, transportation, tourism, services industries, finance and insurance, but not agriculture, as this sector is served by its own Chamber.

Every five years, entrepreneurs elect officers and representatives for the trade associations and the Chamber from their own ranks. In these elections, free associations of entrepreneurs field their candidates to compete for the leadership of the chambers and individual trade associations. Some of these entrepreneurial associations are affiliated with political parties, while others are independent platforms.

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has a wide range of responsibilities. It represents the interests of its members at all levels of government. By law, governments are obliged to consult with the chamber on legislative projects and important regulations. In many laws, a provision is made to involve the chamber in decision-making and administrative procedures. It also provides an information and advisory service to members on issues such as taxation, labour law, vocational training, industry-specific legislation, industry-wide advertising, and market research.

Additionally, the chamber engages in collective bargaining with unions and supports Austrian companies interested in international business and innovation through its specialised department, AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA. This department has more than 100 field offices around the world (ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA offices) and a network of specialised experts within the State Chambers. The ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA offices act as Austria's official business representatives abroad and are notified as the Trade Sections of Austrian embassies and consulates abroad.

In Austria, the promotion of foreign trade constitutes, by law, a significant part of the activities of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. This reflects the immense importance of international business and access to international innovation for the country.

The Austrian Parliament has two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council

The Austrian Parliament is a bicameral federal legislature, meaning it is made up of two chambers. These are the National Council and the Federal Council. The National Council is the dominant chamber and is often used synonymously with Parliament. The National Council is made up of 183 members who are elected through proportional representation in a general election every five years.

The Federal Council, on the other hand, is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament. It is made up of 61 members who are elected indirectly through the provincial assemblies of the nine states of the Federal Republic. The number of representatives from each state ranges from three to twelve, depending on the population. The Federal Council has a limited right of veto, which can be overridden by the National Council in most cases. However, the Federal Council has absolute veto power over bills intended to alter the powers of the states or the Federal Council itself.

In specific cases, both chambers convene as the Federal Assembly, a body whose function is mostly ceremonial. For instance, the Federal Assembly convenes to witness the inauguration of the Federal President. However, under exceptional circumstances, the Austrian Constitution grants significant responsibilities to the Federal Assembly, such as the impeachment of a Federal President.

The National Council is the dominant chamber in the Austrian Parliament

The Austrian Parliament is a bicameral federal legislature, consisting of two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council. The National Council is the dominant chamber, and the terms 'Parliament' and 'National Council' are often used synonymously.

The National Council is where Austria's federal legislative authority is concentrated. For a bill to become federal law, it must be resolved upon by this chamber. The 183 members of the National Council are elected through proportional representation in a general election. The legislative period lasts five years, and elections are held earlier if the National Council moves for its own dissolution.

The Federal Council, on the other hand, is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament, representing the nine States of Austria at the federal level. It is far less powerful than the National Council. The Federal Council is elected indirectly through the provincial assemblies of the nine States of the Federal Republic, and its composition reflects the distribution of seats in the Austrian provincial assemblies.

While the Federal Council has to approve every new law decided by the National Council, the latter can, in most cases, overrule the Federal Council's refusal to approve. The Federal Council only possesses a dilatory right of veto, which can be overridden by the National Council. However, the Federal Council enjoys absolute veto powers over bills intended to alter the powers of the states or the Federal Council itself.

In specific cases, both houses of the Austrian Parliament convene as the Federal Assembly, a body whose function is mostly ceremonial. The Federal Assembly convenes for events such as the inauguration of the Federal President.

The Federal Council has a limited right of veto

Austria's parliament consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council. The Federal Council is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament, representing the nine States of Austria at the federal level.

The Austrian Constitution draws a strict distinction between federal and state legislation, providing the Federal Council with the right to veto federal laws passed by the National Council. In most cases, a Federal Council's veto is just suspensive, meaning the National Council can override it, passing the law again by an ordinary resolution of at least half of its members. Therefore, the decisions of the Federal Council can only delay legislation.

However, there are certain cases where the Federal Council's approval is mandatory, and its veto cannot be overridden. These cases include constitutional laws or regulations limiting the competencies of the federal states, laws relating to the rights of the Federal Council itself, and treaties concerning the jurisdiction of the federal states.

The deputies of the Federal Council have never achieved the status of a counterbalance in relation to the National Council. Over the decades, the role of the Federal Council as a mere adjunct to the Austrian parliament has led to discussions on regulatory reforms, including the actual representation of the states' governments or the complete abolition of the second chamber. Nonetheless, the concept has been maintained as a manifestation of Austria's federal system.

The Federal Council enjoys absolute veto powers over bills that affect the powers of the states or the Federal Council itself

Austria has a bicameral legislature, with two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council. The Federal Council is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament, representing the nine States of Austria at the federal level.

The Federal Council's veto power is limited to specific cases, including constitutional laws or regulations limiting the competencies of the federal states, laws relating to the rights of the Federal Council itself, and treaties concerning the jurisdiction of the federal states. In most other cases, the Federal Council's veto is suspensive, meaning the National Council can override it and pass the law by an ordinary resolution of at least half of its members.

The composition of the Federal Council depends on the relative strength of the parties in the Diets of the Federal Provinces, whose interests it represents at the legislative level. The members of the Federal Council are elected by each state legislature for 5- to 6-year terms, and the number of representatives from each state ranges from three to twelve, depending on its population.

While the Federal Council has less power than the National Council, its veto power allows it to have a significant impact on legislation affecting the states or its own authority.

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