Government and Politics
During the past decades observers both at home and abroad have repeatedly remarked that the Austrian political system shows some distinctive features. The unusual situation of two large, dominant parties on the one hand and the overriding principle of social partnership as a strong social and political factor on the other, for a long time left its mark on the development of the republic. A fundamental consequence is Austria’s remarkable political stability and governability today.
Austria, like other countries, has seen political change. Comparison in particular with the early 20th century, but also with the Second Republic, reveals that Austria’s political system has a markedly different appearance at the beginning of this century.
The main features of the political system in Austria are summarised in the following chapters.
