Austria's Leadership: Who's In Control?

Austria is a federal semi-presidential republic, with a President (Bundespräsident) serving as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. The Chancellor presides over cabinet meetings as first among equals, without decisional authority. The cabinet adopts resolutions in the presence of at least half of its members, and each federal minister is responsible for their own ministry. Federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and in the two chambers of Parliament; the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The Austrian government is convened for frequently scheduled meetings, at which representatives from the Austrian government attend Council meetings focused on their area of responsibility.

Austria's federal president is elected by popular vote for a term of six years

Austria is a federal semi-presidential republic, with a President (Bundespräsident) serving as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. The Chancellor presides over cabinet meetings, but does not have decisional authority. Federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and in the two chambers of Parliament; the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The 183 Members of the National Council are elected by all citizens entitled to vote, every five years or sometimes sooner.

Austria's head of state, the Federal President, is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two consecutive terms of office.

The chancellor presides over cabinet meetings

Austria is a federal semi-presidential republic, with a President (Bundespräsident) serving as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. The Chancellor presides over cabinet meetings as first among equals without decisional authority, regardless of their right of proposal concerning the appointment of the government's members by the President. The cabinet adopts resolutions in the presence of at least half of its members and, according to the ruling of the Austrian Constitutional Court, unanimously – in particular the introduction of bills to the National Council. Each federal minister is also responsible for their own ministry, and may be supported by one or more state secretaries, who also participate in the cabinet's meetings.

The Austrian parliament is informed of all projects within the scope of the European Union

Austria is a federal semi-presidential republic, with a President (Bundespräsident) serving as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. Federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and in the two chambers of Parliament: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council is made up of 183 members, who are elected by all citizens entitled to vote, every five years or sometimes sooner.

The Austrian Parliament has the right to directly participate in the EU legislative process, under the Lisbon Treaty.

Austria's government structure resembles that of larger federal republics such as Germany

Austria's government structure is similar to that of larger federal republics such as Germany. Austria is a federal semi-presidential republic with a President (Bundespräsident) as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. The President is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two consecutive terms of office. The Chancellor presides over cabinet meetings as first among equals without decisional authority, regardless of their right of proposal concerning the appointment of the government's members by the President. Federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and in the two chambers of Parliament: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council is made up of 183 members, who are elected by all citizens entitled to vote every five years or sometimes sooner. Voters must decide in favour of one single party, and the National Council is then formed based on the party-list system of proportional representation.

The National Council is formed on the basis of the party-list system of proportional representation

Austrian politics takes place within the constitutional framework of a federal semi-presidential republic. The country's head of state is the Federal President (Bundespräsident), who is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two consecutive terms of office. The President appoints the Chancellor (Bundeskanzler), who acts as the head of government. The Chancellor presides over cabinet meetings, but does not have decisional authority. The Austrian government is convened for frequently scheduled meetings, during which it is termed the Council of Ministers (Ministerrat). The cabinet adopts resolutions in the presence of at least half of its members, and these resolutions must be unanimous.

Federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and in the two chambers of Parliament: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The 183 members of the National Council are elected by all citizens entitled to vote, every five years or sometimes sooner. The National Council is formed on the basis of the party-list system of proportional representation. This means that seats are assigned to political parties based on the percentage share of total votes they have obtained. However, not all parties obtain seats in the National Council. To be entitled to a seat, a party must have received at least four percent of the votes in all of Austria or one direct or basic mandate in one of the constituencies.

Frequently asked questions