The Federal Council (German: Bundesrat, pronounced [ˈbʊndəsʁaːt]) is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament, representing the nine States of Austria at the federal level. As part of a bicameral legislature alongside of the National Council, it can be compared with an upper house or a senate. In fact, however, it is far less powerful than the National Council: although it has to approve every new law decided for by this lower chamber, the latter can—in most cases—overrule the Federal Council's refusal to approve.
As the Constitution of Austria (B-VG) draws a strict distinction between federal and state legislation, its Article 42 provides the Bundesrat only with the right to veto federal laws passed by the National Council. Moreover, in most cases a Federal Council's veto is just suspensive, meaning the National Council can override it, passing the law again by ordinary resolution of at least half of its members. Therefore, the decisions of the Bundesrat can only delay legislation.[2]
In the following cases, though, the Federal Council's approval is mandatory:[2]
Constitutional laws or regulations limiting the competencies of the federal states
Laws relating to the rights of the Federal Council itself
Treaties concerning the jurisdiction of the federal states.
Since its inauguration on 10 November 1920, the deputies of Bundesrat have never achieved the status of a counterbalance in relation to the National Council. Over the decades the role of the Federal Council as a mere adjunct of the Austrian parliament has led to several discussions upon regulatory reforms, towards an actual representation of the states' governments modeled on the German Bundesrat or the complete abolition of the second chamber. So far, the concept has been maintained as a manifestation of Austria's federal system.
The 61 members of the Federal Council (Mitglieder des Bundesrats, colloquially called Bundesräte) are elected according to proportional representation by each of the Austrian states' legislatures (Landtage) for 5- to 6-year terms. The composition of the Bundesrat therefore changes after every state election and the distribution of seats in the Austrian Landtage.[3] The second largest faction of the particular Landtag has the right to designate at least one deputy. The number of representatives delegated by each Bundesland ranges between three and twelve, depending on its population as ascertained by a regular census; it is fixed per presidential decree.
The deputies may ally along party lines and form parliamentary groups, which have to meet a quorum of five seats, if not admitted by particular resolution.[4] Currently the MPs of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and The Greens form political groups (Fraktionen) in the Bundesrat. Although there is a NEOS member, political groups require 5 members:[5]
The Federal Council is made up of a president (elected for a term of half a year) and 2 vice-presidents.
History
In February 2019, the Federal Council prevented a bill from being passed for the first time in its history. An amendment to the Green Electricity Act was rejected, with all 21 SPÖ deputies voting against it. This rejection was possible because the law being voted on would have restricted the competences of the states.[6]
^"Renovation of the Austrian Parliament". www.parlament.gv.at. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
^ ab"The Responsibilities of the Federal Council – The Federal Council's Right of Objection". Website of the Austrian Parliament. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
^For the current composition see: "Mitglieder des Bundesrates, die derzeit ein Mandat innehaben" (in German). Website of the Austrian Parliament. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
^"The Members of the Federal Council – Parliamentary Groups". Website of the Austrian Parliament. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
^"The Members of the Federal Council". www.parlament.gv.at. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
^"Bundesrat bringt Ökostromnovelle zu Fall - Federal Council brings down eco-electricity amendment". ORF News. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
July 06, 2023
federal, council, austria, federal, council, german, bundesrat, pronounced, ˈbʊndəsʁaːt, upper, house, austrian, parliament, representing, nine, states, austria, federal, level, part, bicameral, legislature, alongside, national, council, compared, with, upper,. The Federal Council German Bundesrat pronounced ˈbʊndesʁaːt is the upper house of the Austrian Parliament representing the nine States of Austria at the federal level As part of a bicameral legislature alongside of the National Council it can be compared with an upper house or a senate In fact however it is far less powerful than the National Council although it has to approve every new law decided for by this lower chamber the latter can in most cases overrule the Federal Council s refusal to approve Federal Council BundesratTypeTypeUpper house of the Austrian ParliamentHistoryFounded10 November 1920 1920 11 10 Preceded byConstituent National AssemblyLeadershipPresidentGunter Kovacs SPO since 1 January 2023StructureSeats61Political groupsGovernment 31 OVP 25 Greens 6 Opposition 30 SPO 18 FPO 11 NEOS 1 ElectionsVoting systemAppointment by State dietsLast electionNo direct electionMeeting placeAustrian Parliament Building ViennaWebsiteparlament gv atDuring the renovation of the Parliament Building the Federal Council meets in the Hofburg here the new head of government Sebastian Kurz is speaking The Bundesrat has its seat at the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna in a conclave of the former Herrenhaus chamber of the Imperial Council Reichsrat During a major renovation of the Parliament Building the Federal Council meets in the Hofburg 1 Contents 1 Role 2 Composition 3 Presidency 4 Presidium 5 History 6 See also 7 SourcesRole EditAs the Constitution of Austria B VG draws a strict distinction between federal and state legislation its Article 42 provides the Bundesrat only with the right to veto federal laws passed by the National Council Moreover in most cases a Federal Council s veto is just suspensive meaning the National Council can override it passing the law again by ordinary resolution of at least half of its members Therefore the decisions of the Bundesrat can only delay legislation 2 In the following cases though the Federal Council s approval is mandatory 2 Constitutional laws or regulations limiting the competencies of the federal states Laws relating to the rights of the Federal Council itself Treaties concerning the jurisdiction of the federal states Since its inauguration on 10 November 1920 the deputies of Bundesrat have never achieved the status of a counterbalance in relation to the National Council Over the decades the role of the Federal Council as a mere adjunct of the Austrian parliament has led to several discussions upon regulatory reforms towards an actual representation of the states governments modeled on the German Bundesrat or the complete abolition of the second chamber So far the concept has been maintained as a manifestation of Austria s federal system The Federal Council and the National Council if in joint session form a third parliamentary body the Federal Assembly that convenes for the oath of office of the President of Austria Composition EditThe 61 members of the Federal Council Mitglieder des Bundesrats colloquially called Bundesrate are elected according to proportional representation by each of the Austrian states legislatures Landtage for 5 to 6 year terms The composition of the Bundesrat therefore changes after every state election and the distribution of seats in the Austrian Landtage 3 The second largest faction of the particular Landtag has the right to designate at least one deputy The number of representatives delegated by each Bundesland ranges between three and twelve depending on its population as ascertained by a regular census it is fixed per presidential decree The deputies may ally along party lines and form parliamentary groups which have to meet a quorum of five seats if not admitted by particular resolution 4 Currently the MPs of the Austrian People s Party OVP the Social Democratic Party of Austria SPO the Freedom Party of Austria FPO and The Greens form political groups Fraktionen in the Bundesrat Although there is a NEOS member political groups require 5 members 5 May 2023 MPs OVP SPO FPO GRUNE NEOSBurgenland 3 1 2 Carinthia 4 1 2 1 Lower Austria 12 5 3 3 1 Salzburg 4 2 1 1 Styria 9 4 2 2 1 Tyrol 5 3 1 1 Upper Austria 10 5 2 2 1 Vienna 11 2 5 1 2 1Vorarlberg 3 2 1 Overall 61 25 18 11 6 1The President of the Federal Council is nominated by the largest party of each state in half yearly intervals Presidency EditMain article List of presidents of the Federal Council of AustriaPresidium EditThe Federal Council is made up of a president elected for a term of half a year and 2 vice presidents History EditIn February 2019 the Federal Council prevented a bill from being passed for the first time in its history An amendment to the Green Electricity Act was rejected with all 21 SPO deputies voting against it This rejection was possible because the law being voted on would have restricted the competences of the states 6 See also EditFederal Assembly Austria Politics of Austria National Council Austria Sources Edit Renovation of the Austrian Parliament www parlament gv at Retrieved 2017 12 24 a b The Responsibilities of the Federal Council The Federal Council s Right of Objection Website of the Austrian Parliament Retrieved 2010 10 04 For the current composition see Mitglieder des Bundesrates die derzeit ein Mandat innehaben in German Website of the Austrian Parliament Retrieved 2010 10 04 The Members of the Federal Council Parliamentary Groups Website of the Austrian Parliament Retrieved 2010 10 04 The Members of the Federal Council www parlament gv at Retrieved 28 May 2023 Bundesrat bringt Okostromnovelle zu Fall Federal Council brings down eco electricity amendment ORF News 14 February 2019 Retrieved 16 June 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Federal Council Austria amp oldid 1160515310, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
