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Informationen zum Autor Manfred Stelzer is Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Vienna. Vorwort This book provides a rigorous overview of the constitutional framework of the Republic of Austria. Zusammenfassung This book shows how the Austrian Constitution has been shaped and interpreted by the fundamental events in Austria's modern history. At the same time it emphasises the way in which the Constitution establishes a parliamentary system, with additional presidential features, limited, in turn, by Austria's federal structure and the parliaments of nine states. It charts the history and character of the Constitution; the political structure; the legislative and executive branches of the federal government; public bodies; jurisdiction and fundamental Rights. This new edition explores the changing political landscape, particularly the development of a more competitive party system. It also looks at the response to COVID and the jurisprudence of the Austrian Constitutional Court in the face of the curtailment of rights in order to curb the pandemic. Offering the trademark combination of clarity of explanation and rigour of analysis that defines the series, this is an excellent guide to a fascinating constitutional structure. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. History and Character of the Austrian Constitution I. Introduction II. The Evolution of the Austrian Constitution A. The Absolute Monarchy B. The Constitutional Monarchy C. The First Republic, Armed Conflicts and the Authoritarian Regime D. The Second Republic III. Characteristic Features of the Austrian Constitution A. The Style of the Constitution B. Interpreting the Constitution C. Written Constitution and Efficient Constitution IV. Basic Principles of the Constitution V. Engineering Constitutional Changes VI. Conclusion Further Reading 2. Political Parties and Social Partnership I. Introduction II. The Development of the Party System A. Political Parties versus Electoral Parties B. The Emergence of the Party SystemC. From the mid-1980s Onwards III. The Law on Political Parties A. The Founding of Political Parties B. The Funding of Political Parties IV. The Social Partnership V. Conclusion Further Reading 3. The Legislative Branch of the Federal Government I. IntroductionII. The Electoral System and the Composition of the National Council A. The Electoral System B. The Legal Status of Members of the National Council III. Assembly and Legal Status of the Federal Council IV. Parliamentary Functions I: Legislation A. Legislative Procedures B. Delegation of Legislative Powers C. Participation in EU Legislation V. Parliamentary Functions II: Overseeing the Executive Branch of Government A. Legal and Political Accountability of the Administration B. The Audit Court and the Ombudsman Board VI. Conclusion Further Reading 4. The Executive Branch of the Federal Government I. IntroductionII. The Federal President A. Election and Legal Position of the Federal President B. The Powers of the Federal President C. Accountability of the Federal President III. The Federal Cabinet A. The Appointment of the Federal Cabinet B. The Powers of the Federal Cabinet C. Instructing the Administration D. The Accountability of the Federal Cabinet and Federal Ministers IV. The Civil Service V. Foreign Affairs and European Membership A. International Treaties B. Bodies of International Organisations C. European Union VI. The Federal Budget VII. E-Government VIII. Nationalised Industry IX. Conclusion Further Reading 5. Federalism and Autonomous Public Bodies I. Introduction II. The Concept of Austrian Federalism III. The Allocation of Powers (Competences) A. Function and Principles of the Allocation of PowersB. The General Allocation of Powers C. ‘Special’ Allocation of Powers – The Finance Constitution D. Interpretation of Regulations Regarding Competences ...
