Lexi Webster
Austria is a federal republic consisting of nine federal states. The capital, Vienna, is both a city and a state. Austrian federalism is largely theoretical, as the federal states are granted few legislative powers. The federal state governor is in charge of the administration of much of the federal administrative law within the respective province, which makes this post an important political position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country name | Austria |
| Formal name | Republic of Austria |
| Type of state | Federal state |
| Number of federal states | 9 |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Population | 9 million |
| Area | 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) |
| Government type | Parliamentary democracy |
| Legislative authority | National Council |
| Number of members in the National Council | 183 |
| Term of members in the National Council | 4 years |
| Election system | Proportional representation |
| Federal government head | Federal Chancellor |
| Federal state governor | Landeshauptmann |
| Constitution | All citizens are equal before the law |
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What You'll Learn
Austria is a federal republic with nine states
Austria is a federal republic, consisting of nine federal states, or provinces, that are largely autonomous. The European Commission refers to these states as provinces. The nine states are:
- Upper Austria
- Lower Austria
- Vienna
- Burgenland
- Tyrol
- Carinthia
- Styria
- Salzburg
- Vorarlberg
Each state has its own unique history. For example, the state of Vorarlberg is made up of territories acquired by the House of Habsburg in the 14th and 15th centuries, and was a semi-autonomous part of the County of Tyrol from 1861. The state of Salzburg is coterminous with the former Austro-Hungarian Duchy of Salzburg, and the state of Styria descends from the Duchy of Styria.
Austrian federal states can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution, and each state has representatives in the main Austrian parliament. The federal state governor, or 'Landeshauptmann', is in charge of the administration of federal administrative law within their respective province. Federal state competences include zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement on the regional level.
The capital, Vienna, plays a dual role as a city and a federal state. The mayor of Vienna has the rank of a federal state governor, and the city council also functions as a federal state parliament. However, city and federal state business must be kept separate.
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The capital, Vienna, is both a city and a federal state
Austria is a federal republic composed of nine federal states, which the European Commission refers to as provinces. The capital, Vienna, is both a city and a federal state.
Vienna is Austria's most populous city and state, with around 1.6 million inhabitants in 1998. The mayor of Vienna has the rank of a federal state governor, while the city council also functions as a federal state parliament. However, under the municipal constitution, city and federal state business must be kept separate. Therefore, the city council and the federal state parliament hold separate meetings and have separate presiding officers. When meeting as a city council, the deputies can only address city affairs. In contrast, when meeting as a federal state parliament, they can only deal with state affairs.
Austrian federalism is largely theoretical, as the federal states have few legislative powers. While Austria's constitution initially granted all legislative powers to the federal states, many powers have since been taken away. The federal states retain some powers, such as planning and zoning codes, nature protection, hunting, fishing, farming, and youth protection. Additionally, the provinces are involved in federal legislation through the Federal Council and share executive power with the federal level through provincial administrative authorities.
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Austrian federal states have limited legislative powers
Austria is a federal republic consisting of nine federal states, also called provinces. Austrian federal states can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution, and each federal state has representatives in the main Austrian parliament. The federal states of Upper Austria and Lower Austria were once the two halves of the Archduchy of Austria, which was the empire's historic heartland.
Austrian federalism is largely theoretical, as the federal states have few legislative powers. Austria's constitution initially granted all legislative powers to the federal states, but many powers have since been taken away. The federal states retain powers in areas such as planning and zoning codes, nature protection, hunting, fishing, farming, youth protection, certain issues of public health and welfare, and the right to levy certain taxes.
Matters of practical importance, such as defence, foreign politics, criminal law, corporate law, most aspects of economic law, education, academia, welfare, telecommunications, and the healthcare system, are regulated by national law. The federal state governor (Landeshauptmann) is in charge of the administration of federal administrative law within their respective province, and federal state competences include zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement at the regional level.
Each Austrian federal state has an elected legislature, the federal state parliament, and a federal state government (Landesregierung) led by a governor (Landeshauptmann or Landeshauptfrau). The federal state constitution determines how seats in the federal state government are assigned to political parties, with most federal states using a system of proportional representation based on the number of delegates in the federal state parliament. The governor is elected by the federal state parliament and is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the parliament.
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The federal state governor is an important political position
Austria is a federal republic composed of nine federal states, also referred to as provinces or Bundesländer. The federal state governor, or Landeshauptmann, is an important political position, responsible for administering federal administrative law within their respective province. This includes zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement at the regional level. The federal state governor's role adds considerable weight to federal state politics, and they have some autonomy to pass laws within the limits of the constitution.
The federal state governor's role is so important that, in some cases, the federal states have been able to delay projects endorsed by the national government. For example, the Semmering Base Tunnel, a railway tunnel being built under the Semmering, was delayed due to the involvement of the federal states. While Austrian federal states have a smaller degree of autonomy compared to American states or German lands, Austrians tend to identify strongly with their respective federal state and defend its independent governance.
The capital of Austria, Vienna, serves the dual role of city and federal state. The mayor of Vienna holds the rank of a federal state governor, while the city council also functions as a federal state parliament. However, it is essential to maintain separation between city and federal state business. Therefore, the city council and federal state parliament hold separate meetings and have distinct presiding officers. When the deputies meet as a city council, they can only address city affairs, and when they meet as a federal state parliament, they can only deal with state affairs.
The Federal Government, headed by the Federal Chancellor, is responsible for preparing draft legislation, which is then submitted to Parliament. The Austrian president has the power to convene and conclude parliamentary sessions and, under certain conditions, can dissolve Parliament, although this has not occurred in the Second Republic. Typically, it is the custom for Parliament to call for new elections if needed. The president plays a crucial role in government formation, requesting a party leader to assemble a government and appointing cabinet ministers based on the Federal Chancellor's recommendations. No one can become a member of the government without the president's approval.
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The European Commission calls the federal states 'provinces'
Austria is a federal republic, or federation, composed of nine federal states, or provinces. The European Commission refers to these as provinces. The capital, Vienna, is both a city and a federal state. Austrian federalism is largely theoretical, as the federal states are granted few legislative powers. However, they do have some autonomy and can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution.
Each federal state has representatives in the Austrian parliament, which is composed of two houses: the National Council (Nationalrat), or lower house, and the Federal Council (Bundesrat), or upper house. The National Council holds the legislative authority and its 183 members are elected for a maximum term of four years, based on proportional representation. The Federal Council is involved in federal legislation and shares executive power with the federal level.
The federal states have some important political powers. For example, the federal state governor (Landeshauptmann) is in charge of the administration of federal administrative law within their respective province. The federal states also have control over zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement at the regional level.
The provinces are also involved in the implementation of federal legislation. Some laws passed at the federal level are implemented by the provinces, and they may also conclude treaties under international law with other states. The provinces have certain rights of participation regarding projects within the framework of the European Union.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a federal republic consisting of nine federal states.
The nine federal states of Austria are: Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria, and Vorarlberg.
Austria is a parliamentary democracy. The country is a federal republic composed of nine autonomous federal provinces.
The capital of Austria is Vienna, which is also its most populous city and state.
Austrian federal states can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution. They have certain rights of participation regarding projects within the framework of the European Union.
