Damon Mcknight
Austria has a multi-party system, with over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the larger public and only four or five parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) dominated politics for decades after the Second World War, but more recently, newer parties such as the Greens and the NEOS have risen to prominence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of registered political parties | Over 1,100 or 1,300 |
| Number of parties represented in the National Council | 5 |
| Number of parties represented in the Federal Council | 5 |
| Number of parties represented in the European Parliament | 5 |
| Number of parties in the current government | 3 |
What You'll Learn
Austria's multi-party system
Austria has a multi-party system, with over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the larger public. Since the 1980s, four parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament. There are five parties represented in the National Council: the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), the Freedom Party (FPÖ), the Greens and NEOS. All of the parties in the National Council are also represented in the Federal Council and all of the five parties in the National Council are represented in the European Parliament.
More recently, the pattern of two-party dominance has diminished with the rise of newer parties, such as the Greens and NEOS. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Freedom Party (FPÖ) have historically garnered the largest share of the vote in National Council elections. However, in the 1999 national election, the Freedom Party narrowly overtook the People's Party and afterward joined the latter in a coalition government.
The rise of the Freedom Party and its offshoot, the BZÖ, raised concerns among some Austrians and other EU member countries due to the far-right-wing tendencies of its leadership. In 2025, Austria's first three-party government since World War Two took office, keeping the far-right Freedom Party out of power.
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The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP)
Austria has a multi-party system with over 1,100 registered political parties, although only a few are known to the larger public. Since the 1980s, four parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament.
The ÖVP was established immediately after the restoration of Austria's independence in 1945 and has been represented in the Federal Assembly ever since. In the 1945 Austrian legislative election, the ÖVP won a landslide victory in Austria's first postwar election, winning almost half the popular vote and an absolute majority in the legislature. The ÖVP remained the senior partner in a coalition with the SPÖ until 1966 and governed alone from 1966 to 1970. It re-entered the government in 1986, but has never been completely out of power since the restoration of Austrian independence in 1945 due to a longstanding tradition that all major interest groups were to be consulted on policy.
The ÖVP is the successor of the Christian Social Party founded in the 1890s and describes itself as a "progressive centre party". It is a member of the European Union of Christian Democrats and sits with the EPP group in the European Parliament. Of Austria's 19 MEPs, 5 are members of the ÖVP.
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The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ)
Austria has a multi-party system with over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the larger public and only four parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament.
More recently, the pattern of two-party dominance has diminished with the rise of newer parties, such as the Greens and the NEOS. Despite this, the SPÖ remains an important force in Austrian politics. The party is known for its commitment to social justice and equality, and it has a strong base of support among working-class Austrians.
The SPÖ has a long history of advocating for progressive policies, including the expansion of social welfare programs and the protection of workers' rights. It has also been a strong supporter of Austria's membership in the European Union, seeing it as a way to promote peace and prosperity in Europe. In recent years, the party has faced challenges in adapting to the changing political landscape, but it remains committed to its core values of social democracy and progressivism.
The SPÖ has played a key role in shaping modern Austria, and its influence can be seen in the country's strong social safety net and robust labour laws. The party has also been a driving force behind efforts to promote gender equality and combat climate change. Despite facing electoral setbacks in recent years, the SPÖ remains a significant force in Austrian politics and continues to work towards its vision of a more just and equitable society.
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The Freedom Party
Austria has over 1,100 registered political parties, but only four have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament.
One of these parties is the Freedom Party, which is also known as the FPÖ. The Freedom Party is a far-right party that has been a significant force in Austrian politics since the 1990s. In the November 1990 election, the Freedom Party won 17% of the vote, overtaking the People's Party. In the 1999 national election, the Freedom Party narrowly overtook the People's Party again and joined them in a coalition government. The rise of the Freedom Party, and its offshoot the BZÖ, raised concerns among some Austrians and other EU member countries due to the far-right-wing tendencies of its leadership.
Despite these controversies, the Freedom Party has maintained a strong base of support, particularly among working-class Austrians and those who feel left behind by globalisation and economic change. The party has tapped into a sense of cultural and economic insecurity and has promised to protect Austrian jobs, traditions, and values.
In the most recent elections, the Freedom Party was kept out of power, with a three-party coalition government forming to prevent their inclusion. However, the Freedom Party remains a force in Austrian politics, and its influence continues to shape the country's political landscape.
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The rise of newer parties, such as the Greens and NEOS
Austria has a multi-party system, with over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the larger public. Since the 1980s, four parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament. There are five parties represented in the National Council: the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), the Freedom Party (FPÖ), the Greens, and NEOS.
The Greens, as the name suggests, represent a political movement focused on environmental issues and sustainable development. They advocate for policies that address climate change, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources. By appealing to environmentally conscious voters, the Greens have gained traction, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly concerned about the future of the planet.
On the other hand, NEOS, short for "Das Neue Österreich und Liberales Forum" (The New Austria and Liberal Forum), represents a liberal and progressive force in Austrian politics. Founded in 2012, NEOS quickly gained popularity, especially among urban and educated voters. The party advocates for civil liberties, economic reform, and a more open and transparent government. NEOS appeals to those seeking a more modern and progressive vision for Austria, embracing diversity, innovation, and individual freedoms.
The success of these newer parties can be attributed to their ability to tap into emerging issues and concerns of the Austrian electorate. By offering fresh perspectives and policy proposals, they have attracted voters who feel that the traditional parties no longer represent their interests or adequately address contemporary challenges. The rise of the Greens and NEOS has contributed to a more diverse and dynamic political landscape, providing a broader range of options for citizens to choose from and shaping the future of Austrian democracy.
While the emergence of these newer parties has disrupted the traditional two-party system, it remains to be seen if they can sustain their momentum and establish themselves as enduring forces in Austrian politics.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a multi-party system and there are over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the larger public.
There are five parties represented in the National Council. All of the parties in the National Council are also represented in the Federal Council.
Since the 1980s, four parties have consistently received enough votes to get seats in the national parliament.
