Democratic idea of Austria

The Government

of Austria

The Executive Branch

Federal President- elected by popular vote for a term of six years and limited to two consecutive terms of office.

Candidates must be:

1. At least thirty-five years of age.

2. and is nominated by political parties.

To win an election: a candidate must receive the majority vote.

The President will serve as the

Head of the State

Presidential duties:

1. Call a formal meeting.

2. In rare cases dissolving the Nationalrat, Cabinet members and the Chancellor.

3. The president signs treaties, verifies that legal procedures for legislation have been

carried out, and grants reprieves and pardons.

Pressing charges against the President:

Referendum: one-half of the Nationalrat deputies must be present and vote by a

two-thirds majority to ask the chancellor to convoke the Bundesversammlung,

which then must vote by a simple majority for a referendum. The referendum is

carried if a simple majority of voters vote in favor of it.

Chancellor (Prime Minister)- is appointed by the president and

can also be dismissed by him. He is usually the leader of the party

that has won the most seats in the latest parliamentary

election.

To be a chancellor: he must be eligible to serve in the Nationalrat.

The Chancellor is the Head of Government

as well as Chairman of the Cabinet

Cabinet- is appointed by the President with the recommendation of the Chancellor.

Note:

1. Cabinet members do not have to be members of the Nationalrat, but they must be eligible to be elected to it.

2. Persons chosen as cabinet ministers are usually leading members of a political party or interest group.

The Legislative Branch

Nationalrat- lower house of the governmet.

Note:

1. Has 183 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation. To be represented in parliament a party needs to either win at least four percent of votes across the nation or win a seat in one of the 43 regional constituencies.

Nationalrat : Candidates must be at least twenty years old on January 1 of the election year and must also be eligible to vote.

Bundesrat- upper house of the governmet.

Note:

1. Has 63 seats which are apportioned depending on the population.

2. As of late 1993, the breakdown of seats was as follows: Vienna and Lower

Austria had twelve each; Styria and Upper Austria, ten each; Tirol, five; Carinthia and

Salzburg, four each; and Burgenland and Vorarlberg, three each.

The Bundesrat:

1. It protects provincial interests.

2. All laws passed by the Nationalrat must be presented to the Bundesrat for review. However, the Bundesrat can at most delay the passage of laws by means of a suspensive veto.

Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly)- Joint session of the two chambers.

Note:

1. To witness the swearing in of the president, to bring charges against him, or to declare war.

END