Austria
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary republic
- CONSTITUTION
- 1920, revised in 1929 and reformulated in 1945; amended many times, last in 2020
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; subject to the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung) composed of the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court of Justice or Oberster Gerichtshof (composed of 85 judges organized into 17 senates or chambers of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgerichtshof (composed of 20 judges including 6 substitutes; Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof - 2 judges plus other members depending on the importance of the case); Courts of Appeal (4); Regional Courts (20); District Courts (120); County Courts
RELIGIONS
Roman Catholic 55.2%, Muslim 8.3%, Orthodox 4.9%, Evangelical Christian 3.8%, Jewish 0.1%, other 5.4%, none 22.4% (estimate 2021)
From the country
- JANUARY 1, 2009AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- APRIL 7, 2008ChinaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRIA ASKS CHINA TO REVOKE DEATH PENALTY ON CHINESE 'SPY'
Austria's President Heinz Fischer appealed to Beijing to spare the life of a
- JANUARY 1, 2008AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- DECEMBER 18, 2007AustriaDEATH PENALTY
Austria voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
Austria voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
- JANUARY 1, 2007AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2006AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- DECEMBER 14, 2005AustriaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRIA. SCHWARZENEGGER SHUNNED IN AUSTRIA FOLLOWING EXECUTION
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's refusal to grant former gang leader Stanley 'Tookie' Williams clemency sparked outrage in his native Austria.
- APRIL 20, 2005AustriaDEATH PENALTY
Austria was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
Austria was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
- JANUARY 21, 2005AustriaDEATH PENALTY
Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a newspaper interview...
Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a newspaper interview in his native Austria that his refusal of clemency in the execution of Donald Beardslee, 61, carried out at midnight on January 18, had made it "the hardest day of his life."
- JANUARY 1, 2005AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- APRIL 21, 2004AustriaDEATH PENALTY
Austria was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the...
Austria was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 7, 2004AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."