Austria's Government: Understanding The Parliamentary Representative Democracy

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor who is the head of government and a president who is the ceremonial head of state. The country is composed of nine states (Bundesländer) and both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The Federal Constitution was passed by the Constituent National Assembly on October 1, 1920, and amended in 1929 to grant wider powers to the Federal President. The Austrian Parliament consists of two chambers: the National Assembly (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat).

Austria's federal structure

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic composed of nine autonomous federal provinces, also referred to as states (Bundesländer) or Länder. The Republic of Austria is a federal state, and its federal nature is one of the principles laid down in the Constitution, which can only be changed by referendum.

The territory of the Federal Republic consists of nine federal states or provinces, constituting a uniform monetary, economic, and customs entity. The federal capital and seat of the supreme federal authorities is Vienna.

The legislative and executive powers are shared by the federal and provincial governments. Provincial laws and laws pertaining to communities are passed by the provincial diets, and the administration of the provinces lies in the hands of the provincial governments. The citizens of a province may also influence provincial legislation through instruments of direct democracy.

The Federal President is the head of state, and the Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) is the head of government. The Federal President is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two consecutive terms in office. The Federal Chancellor is appointed by the Federal President and, together with the Vice Chancellor and the Ministers, forms the head of the federal administration. The federal cabinet consists of the Federal Chancellor and a number of ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor. The federal cabinet answers to the National Council and can be forced to resign through a motion of no confidence.

The Parliament of Austria (Parlament) consists of two chambers: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council is the predominant chamber, with 183 members elected for a five-year term by proportional representation. To be represented in the National Council, a party needs to win at least four percent of the votes across the nation or win a seat in one of the 43 regional constituencies. The Federal Council consists of 62 members selected by the state legislatures (Landtage), with its power being rather limited.

The Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung), formed by the National Council and Federal Council in joint session, is largely a ceremonial institution. Its main responsibility is the swearing-in of the Federal President. It can also call a referendum on removing the president from office or bring the president before the Constitutional Court if it concludes that the president violated the Constitution.

The Austrian President

Austria is a democratic republic with a Federal President serving as the head of state. The Federal President is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two consecutive terms in office. The office of the President was established in 1920 by the Constituent National Assembly of the first republic following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Habsburg monarchy in 1918. The current Austrian President is Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, who was inaugurated on January 26, 2017, and re-elected in October 2022 for a second term.

The President's responsibilities include the integration of minorities into the political process and the protection of democracy. Extensive experience in politics, competence in all spheres of life, and non-partisanship are seen as essential prerequisites for a presidential candidate. The President also has the power to appoint the Federal Chancellor, who is the head of the government. The President can also dismiss the Chancellor and the entire Cabinet. Additionally, the President signs bills into law, appoints Supreme Court justices, signs treaties, and performs various ceremonial duties.

The President's workplace and official residence are located in the Leopoldine Wing of the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna. The President is compensated for their public service with an annual salary of €349,398, which is significantly higher than the salaries of other European leaders, such as the chancellor of Germany or the president of France.

The Austrian Chancellor

Austria is a democratic republic, with a Federal Chancellor as the head of government. The Austrian Chancellor chairs and leads the cabinet, which is composed of the chancellor, the vice chancellor and the ministers. The current Austrian Chancellor is Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). He was sworn in on 6 December 2021, following the resignation of Sebastian Kurz, who stepped down amid a corruption scandal.

The Chancellor's responsibilities include:

• Submitting bills passed by the National Council to the President for certification
• Countersigning certifications of bills made by the President
• Announcing the bills that have become laws
• Announcing treaties the Republic of Austria is party to upon ratification
• Announcing Constitutional Court decisions overturning laws or executive orders
• Announcing the results of Presidential elections
• Convening the Federal Assembly if the National Council moves to have the President removed from office or lift the President's immunity from criminal prosecution
• Acting as Acting President if the President is incapacitated for up to 20 days

Austrian legislative branch

Austria is a democratic republic. It has a bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung, consisting of two chambers: the National Council or Nationalrat (the predominant chamber) and the Federal Council or Bundesrat. The National Council has 183 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional representation. The Federal Council has 61 or 62 seats, with members appointed by state parliaments and serving five- or six-year terms.

The National Assembly is the main legislative body. Legislative tasks are carried out at the federal level by the National Assembly in conjunction with the Federal Council. The Federal Council represents the interests of the provinces in Parliament.

The Austrian Parliament is comprised of five political parties: the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), the Greens and the NEOS.

Austrian political parties

Austria is a democratic republic with a multi-party system. Austrian politics reflects the dynamics of competition among multiple political parties.

Austrian People's Party (ÖVP)

The Austrian People's Party is a conservative/centre-right party with loose ties to the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1945 by leaders of the former Christian Social Party. The ÖVP has been in government since 1987 and has provided the Chancellor of Austria several times. The party advocates for the principles of the rule of law, market economy, and social responsibility. They emphasise the importance of stability and tradition in politics.

Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ)

The Social Democratic Party of Austria is a social democratic/centre-left party. It was founded in 1888 as the Social Democratic Worker's Party. The SPÖ has governed the country several times, both alone and with a junior partner. The party advocates for social justice, equal opportunities, and solidarity. They emphasise the importance of social security and progress in politics.

Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)

The Freedom Party of Austria is a right-wing populist party. It was founded in 1955 as a successor to the Federation of Independents. The FPÖ's nationalist rhetoric targets Muslims, immigrants, and the European Union. They advocate for national identity, security, and sovereignty. The party emphasises the importance of personal responsibility and tradition in politics.

The Greens – The Green Alternative (GRÜNE)

The Greens are a green party that is part of the worldwide Green movement. They advocate for environmental protection, sustainability, and social justice. The Greens emphasise the importance of climate protection and social solidarity. They are particularly strong in city areas, such as Vienna.

NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS)

NEOS is a classic-centre liberal party. It was formed through a merger of the Liberal Forum (LIF) and NEOS in 2014. The LIF was founded on libertarian ideals and split from the FPÖ in 1993. NEOS advocates for individual freedom, equal opportunities, and open societies. They emphasise the importance of innovation, education, and digitalization.

Frequently asked questions