Elections “Austria is a democratic republic. Its law emanates from the people.” Thus reads Article 1 of the federal constitution. Elections constitute the most important moment of political decision making. All of the political institutions established by the constitution are elected in three elections: Citizens decide on the Bundespräsident (Federal President), the Nationalrat (National Council) and the Landtage (Provicial Parliaments) via the ballots distributed in these elections. Elections are held in accordance with the universally equal right to vote and the right to a secret ballot. Men have had these rights since 1907, and women since 1918. EU citizens living in Austria have been able to take part in municipal elections since Austria joined the EU. Naturally, the Austrian population also elects its representatives in the EU Parliament.Along with general elections, the constitution also provides instruments of direct democracy.
Source: Statistics Austria
"Reichsratsaal" in the Austrian Parliament in Vienna
Picture: Österreich Werbung, Robert Pfeifer