President is the chief of the state and the Federal Chancellor is the head of the government. Chancellor enjoys the executive powers. President is elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term and the Chancellor is traditionally chosen by the President from the majority party in the National Council. Council of Ministers is chosen by the President on the advice of the Chancellor.
Legislative Power
The legislature in Austria is bicameral. The parliament consists of two chambers: National Council (the lower house), its members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms, and Federal Council (the upper house) with its members elected by provincial parliaments to serve five- or six-year terms. President can dissolve the National Council on recommendation of the Chancellor. The Federal Council only reviews legislation passed by the National Council and can delay but not veto its enactment. Most authority, including that of the police, rests with the federal government, but the states have considerable responsibility for welfare matters and local administration.
Main political parties
The major political parties in the country are: OVP (the conservative People's Party), SPO (Social Democratic Party), FPO (the right-wing Freedom Party), and the Greens.
OVP finds support from farmers, large and small business owners and some Catholic groups, mostly in the rural regions of Austria; while as the SPO traditionally draws its constituency from blue- and white-collar workers.
Current political leaders
President: Heinz FISCHER (since July 2004) – SPO Chancellor: Werner FAYMANN (since Decemer 2008) Vice Chancellor:Josef Pröll (since Decembre 2008) - OVP
Next election dates
Presidential election: April 2016 National Council election: 2013
Living conditions
Health and safety
Health precautions
Vaccination against tetanus is required. Rabies vaccination for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats.
International hospitals
The staff in most of the hospitals can speak or at least understand English.
It is %T:%M %A in Vienna (GMT+1 in winter, GMT+2 in summer)
Summer time period
GMT + 2, from fourth Sunday in March to fourth Sunday in October.
Map of the time zone
Type of climate
Climate in Austria is moderate with sunny winters and frequent snowfalls. Summers are pleasant with short and heavy spell of rainfall. North eastern part of Austria experiences severe cold winters and heavy foehn winds (a warm and dry wind).
