ABSTRACT
Austria has a population of just over 8 million, of which over 1.5 million live in the capital, Vienna. The form and organisation of the State of the Republic of Austria is largely prescribed by the Federal Constitution of 19201 and the State Treaty (Staatsvertrag) of 1955,2 which regulate the international status and relations of Austria.3 Austria is a democratic and Federal Republic (Arts 1 and 2 Absatz (Abs) 1 B-VG4) in which the separation of powers is recognised.5 State and governmental competence is divided between the Federation (Bund) and nine autonomous Länder or Bundesländer.6 State power and duties are also divided between the legislature (Nationalrat and Bundesrat), the executive (Federal President, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, ministers, government and higher civil servants) and the judiciary.
