Austria
Austria exhibits high-range performance across three of the categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework (Representation, Rights and Participation) and mid-range performance in Rule of Law. It is among the world’s top 25 per cent of countries in all factors except Freedom of Religion and Electoral Participation. Over the last five years, Austria has experienced a notable decline in Absence of Corruption. Austria is a member of the European Union and features a competitive, highly industrialized economy that mainly relies on the service sector and industry, and which has consistently ranked among the richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita.
From the late Middle Ages to 1918, Austria was dominated by the Habsburg monarchy, which in 1867 became the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy (the second-largest state in Europe). The empire dissolved into individual nations, leading to the establishment of the First Republic of Austria in 1918. The Austrian Federal Constitution was created in 1920, with the first National Council elections featuring universal voting rights. Approximately 19.0 per cent of the Austrian population are foreign nationals, with Germans constituting the largest group, followed by Romanians and Serbs. Austria hosts a complex corporatist governance system that is distinctive in its long tradition of consensus-building through the involvement of many interest groups, commonly referred to as “social partnership”. Nonetheless, it has come under increasing pressure from the deepening of societal divides, as well as the introduction of new political cleavages, particularly in relation to migration and climate change, which sometimes transcend the traditional right-left divide. There has been an increase in public discourse characterized by discrimination, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. The political instrumentalization of fears related to refugees and foreigners, combined with mounting economic pressures, anti-establishment sentiment, and declining trust in government, has fueled the rise of populism.
Such volatility has been exacerbated by several reports of high-profile corruption scandals, including in the Parliament, and allegations against politicians for trying to control the media and using public funds to secure favorable coverage. The Group of States Against Corruption (CoE-GRECO) has repeatedly warned Austria about its non-compliance with respect to implementing its recommendations, particularly in relation to the oversight of members of parliament as well as the transparency of the legislative process.
Austria is known for its advanced gender equality, with its parliament being the first in the world to have a woman Speaker. Recent measures aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership led to progress, yet women remain underrepresented, and the gender pay gap is among the highest in the EU. Austria legalized same-sex marriage in 2017, has lifted a de facto ban on LGBTQIA+ citizens donating blood, and has introduced compensation for prosecuted gay people in 2024.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch factors related to Rule of Law, particularly Absence of Corruption, as well as Elected Government, Effective Parliament and Freedom of the Press, given the corruption scandals and attempts to exert control over media. The ruling by the Constitutional Court limiting political control of the public broadcaster (ORF) in 2023 and the resolution of the Freedom of Information Act in 2024 have the potential to affect these factors. With migration and asylum policies playing a central role in the political debate, Social Group Equality is another factor that should be closely monitored.
Last updated: July 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
December 2024
Parliament lifts immunity of FPÖ’s leader to allow perjury investigations
On 11 December, the National Council voted to lift the immunity of Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), as well as three other FPÖ MPs involved in a separate matter. A former Conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) lawmaker has alleged that Kickl lied during a testimony about using public funds for FPÖ-positive advertisements. The three other MPs are accused of violating the Nazi Prohibition Law by singing a Nazi song at a funeral. The decision to lift the immunity of the MPs allows prosecutors to proceed with investigations into the allegations. The FPÖ, which won Austria’s parliamentary elections in September 2024, called the decision politically motivated persecution. In February, former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was found guilty of perjury.
Sources: Austrian Government, Euronews, Reuters, The International, Jurist, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)
September 2024
FPÖ wins parliamentary elections but falls short of a majority
On 29 September, the “far-right” Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) won a party record by winning 57 of the 183 parliamentary seats, securing 28.8 per cent of the vote in the legislative elections. Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP) secured 51 seats, with a vote share of 26.3 per cent. This is a loss of 20 seats compared to the previous election. The centre-left Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) became the third largest party with a total of 41 seats and a vote share of 21.1 per cent, lower than in any previous election. Voter turnout stood at 76.2 per cent, similar to the 75.6 per cent in 2019.
Sources: Bundestagswahl, Politico, International IDEA
February 2024
Authorities announce start of compensation for prosecuted gay people
Legislation introduced in November 2023 for rehabilitation and compensation of individuals persecuted or convicted for consensual homosexual acts took effect on 1 February. The legislation targets those convicted under the previous legal code, which had decriminalized homosexuality in 1971 but still targeted gay men and treated homosexual and heterosexual relationships differently. All affected individuals who faced imprisonment or serious social disadvantages, like job loss, can claim compensation, ranging from EUR 500 to 3,000. A total of EUR 33 million has been allocated for these payments. Justice Minister Alma Zadić apologized for the injustice caused by the authorities, stating that the compensation reflects the country's commitment to taking responsibility for these actions.
Sources: International IDEA, Bundesministerium Justiz, Kleine Zeitung, Der Standard, Kurier
February 2024
Court finds former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz guilty of perjury
Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was found guilty of providing false statements to a parliamentary inquiry regarding alleged corruption in his first tenure in government. Vienna’s Criminal Court issued an eight-month suspended jail sentence, which Kurz has appealed. The case revolves around Kurz’s role in appointing executives to the state holding company, Österreichische Beteiligungs AG (ÖBAG), while serving as chancellor. While Kurz claimed to only be informed about the appointments, which was a responsibility of the finance minister, evidence presented in court revealed that Kurz was actively involved. Kurz resigned in 2021 amid pressure following a corruption scandal.
Sources: Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), MeinBezirk, Twitter (Sebastian Kurz), Reuters (1), Deutsche Welle (1), Deutsche Welle (2)
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