V.

Government

Austria is a democratic, federal republic governed according to the constitution of 1920, as amended in 1929 and subsequently modified. This constitution, abrogated in 1934 by the right-wing Chancellor Englebert Dollfuss and suspended after annexation by Germany in 1938, was restored in 1945. Like the constitutions of many other Western democracies, the constitution of Austria provides for a distinct division of power between the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches of government. Laws having their origin in 1862 and 1867 guarantee basic human rights and liberties; the rights of minorities are also guaranteed by the constitution.

A.

Executive and Legislature

Executive power is exercised by the president of the republic, who is elected by popular vote every six years, and by the Council of Ministers, which is headed by a chancellor, appointed by the president for a term not exceeding four years. Suffrage is universal for people over age 18.

Federal legislative power is vested principally in the National Council (Nationalrat), or lower house, composed of 183 members elected for four-year terms by popular vote according to proportional representation. The Cabinet may remain in office only so long as it enjoys the confidence of the National Council. The Federal Council (Bundesrat), the upper house, consists of 64 members chosen by the provincial legislatures in proportion to population for terms ranging from four to six years. Although the powers of the Federal Council are primarily advisory, the council can delay passage of bills.

B.

Political Parties

Following parliamentary elections held in 2006, the National Council consisted of 66 members of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP; Österreichische Volkspartei), 68 members of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ; Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs), 21 members of the Freedom Party (FPÖ; Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs), 21 members of the Green Party (Die Grünen), and 7 members of the Alliance for the Future of Austria (Bündnis Zukunft Österreich), the new party of Jörg Haider.

C.

Judiciary

The legal system is based on the division between legislative, administrative, and judicial power. There are three supreme courts: the Supreme Constitutional Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, and the Supreme Judicial Court. The judicial courts include 4 higher provincial courts, 17 provincial and district courts, and about 200 local courts. The constitutional court deals with matters affecting the country’s constitution, and examines the legality of administration and legislation. The administrative court deals with matters affecting the legality of administration.

D.

Local Government

Each of the nine provinces has a unicameral legislature elected on the same basis as the National Council. The legislature chooses a provincial governor. All legislation must be submitted by the governor to the federal ministry for approval. The provincial legislature, however, may override a ministry veto by majority vote. Cities and villages are administered by elected communal councils, which in turn elect mayors, or burgomasters.

E.

Health and Welfare

The Austrian system of social insurance is comprehensive, including sickness, disability, accident, old-age, and unemployment benefits, allowances for families with children, and rent subsidy. The system is financed by compulsory employer and employee contributions. Health insurance and some others are voluntary for those who are self-employed. In 2006 Austria had 1 doctor per 273 people; in 2008 the infant mortality rate was 5 deaths per 1,000 live births. Just over 14 per cent of the national budget was spent on health care in 1997.

F.

Defence

An Austrian army was authorized by the treaty of May 15, 1955. Under the terms of this treaty, which promulgated Austria’s sovereignty and neutrality, no limitation was placed on the army size, but its equipment was restricted to conventional weapons. Austria has compulsory military service of seven months plus duty in the reserves for men aged 18. In 2004 the Austrian armed forces included about 39,900 members; 33,200 were members of the army, including 4,250 who were members of its integral army air force.

G.

International Organizations

Austria is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Central European Initiative, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Schengen Agreement. Austria joined the EU in 1995. The treaty restoring Austrian sovereignty in 1955 prevented Austria from joining military alliances, but it is now a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace and Chancellor Schüssel during his term of office outlined his intention to apply for full membership of NATO.