“Austria is a parliamentary republic with nine states (Länder). Decision-making powers are shared between the federal government and the Länder. Legislative processes primarily take place at the federal level in the national parliament, which consists of two chambers, the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). State parliaments (Landtage) have legislative power at the Länder level. A distinctive feature of the Austrian political system is that formal representatives of employers and employees (and other interest groups), which are collectively known as the Social Partners, have significant influence on legislative processes, especially in the area of social policy and health policy.”
Source: Bachner F, Bobek J, Habimana K, Ladurner J, Lepuschütz L, Ostermann H, Rainer L, Schmidt A E, Zuba M, Quentin W, Winkelmann J. Austria: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 2018; 20(3): 1 – 256.
“The federal president is head of state and the highest representative of the republic and directly elected by popular vote for a term of 6 years. The federal chancellor is head of the federal government. Based on the outcome of the federal elections, the president appoints the federal chancellor and the other members of the cabinet. The government or individual members of cabinet can be removed from office either by a presidential decree or a vote of non-confidence by the National Council (Nationalrat).
“The Austrian Parliament is the legislative body at the federal level. It consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council has 183 members and is elected for a 5-year legislative period. Since 2007, all nationals older than 16 years (lowered from 18 years since 2007) are eligible to vote, making Austria one of few countries where minors are allowed to vote. As of 2017, five parties are represented in the National Council, of which two form the federal government – the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) and the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ). Other parties currently represented in the National Council are the Social Democrats (SPÖ), the Liberal Party (NEOS), and the so-called Liste Pilz (a left-wing party founded by a former Member of the Green Party). The National Council – in particular the opposition parties – holds the federal government accountable via the Council’s democratic right of enquiry.
“The Federal Council currently has 61 members who primarily represent the interests of the Länder in the process of federal legislation. The number of deputies from each of the nine Länder is proportionate to their populations (Austrian Parliament, 2017a). Deputies are elected by the state parliaments (Landtage) through proportional representation for the duration of the Länder’s legislative period. The main function of the Federal Council is to deliberate on and enact laws passed by the National Council. It may object to bills but the National Council can overrule its negative vote. For some laws formal approval from both chambers is required; for example, for those that limit the power of the Länder or affect the competencies of the Federal Council itself.”
Source: Bachner F, Bobek J, Habimana K, Ladurner J, Lepuschütz L, Ostermann H, Rainer L, Schmidt A E, Zuba M, Quentin W, Winkelmann J. Austria: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 2018; 20(3): 1 – 256.
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Page last updated July 18, 2023 by Doug McVay, Editor.
