ABSTRACT
In terms of constitutional law, the Austrian political system is based on the laws of the First Republic, a term that merely signifies a historical period. Thus, the Second Republic differs from the First Republic not because of different constitutional documents but because its specific political culture is different. In combination with the constitutional amendment of 1929, the Federal Constitutional Law of 1920 lends the Austrian political system a parliamentary character, which is supplemented by presidential components. The constitutional provisions for direct democracy have been underused because the party state has traditionally taken care of democracy. The National Council is a working parliament and thus fulfills the normal functions of any parliament in a liberal democracy: legislation and control. The federal government consists of the federal chancellor, the vice chancellor, the federal ministers, and the undersecretaries of state who are under the direct control of federal ministers.
