Austria

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Article 75
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Articles 52, 53 (see 3.5.)
Rules of Procedure of the National Council* §18
Rules of Procedure of the Federal Council* §§29 and 37
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Articles 23c, 122(4), 147(2) and 148g(2)
Number of written questions asked, per year
4,253 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
4,253 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Article 53 and Rules of Procedure of the National Council, §33
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2022)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Article 70
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Other (please specify)
Notes
The Head of State is directly elected, then affirmed by the Federal Assembly (consists of all members from both parliamentary chambers).
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Article 38

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Articles 76 and 142
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitutional Law, Article 74
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No
Dissolving chambers
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable