Austria

General information about the policy process

Representatives of the Austrian government, both in the Austrian Parliament and in the European Parliament, "act in the framework of co-determination with the European Council." Additionally, the Austrian Constitution requires the Parliament to consider and often report the advisory positions of the provinces (Bundesländer), communities, and special interest groups.

National actors involved

Cooperation between the government and parliament in matters of European integration takes place through the rights of participation of the National Council and the Federal Council under Article 23e B-VG with regard to projects within the EU, in the form of rights to information and to express an opinion.


 * Austrian Parliament

Regional or local actors involved The relationship between actors
 * Parliament - the National Council (Nationalrat) also by the Standing Subcommittee on European Union Affairs, and the Federal Council (Bundesrat)
 * Regional Governments (Bundesländer), also by liaison offices of the Austrian Länder.

In the event the provinces (Bundesänder) come to a "common position," the Austrian Parliament is required by their Constitution to honor the position and report this to the European Council, except in specified circumstances such as in matters related to foreign policy.

References