Government of Austria
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Austria
Short Conventional Name
Austria
Long Local Name
Republik Oesterreich
Short Local Name
Oesterreich
Government Type
Federal Republic
Capital City
Vienna
Administrative Divisions
9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna).
Independence Day
Tuesday, 12th November 1918
Constitutional History
1920; revised 1929; reinstated 1 May 1945; note - during the period 1 May 1934-1 May 1945 there was a fascist (corporative) constitution in place.
Legal System
Civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal; note - reduced from 18 years of age in 2007.
Executive Branch
Chief of State
President Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) (since 8 July 2004)
Head of Government
Chancellor Werner FAYMANN (SPOe) (since 2 December 2008)
Cabinet
Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor.
Elections
President elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2010); chancellor formally chosen by the president but determined by the coalition parties forming a parliamentary majority; vice chancellor chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; members chosen by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members according to its population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms).
Judical Branch
Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof.
Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red.