Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/733

 t>Sl AUSTRIA.

(Die Republjk Osterreich.) Constitution and Government.

The Republic of Austria was proclaimed on November 12, i918. The Government was taken in hand by a National Assembly which ap- pointed a temporary cabinet and proceeded to pass laws. On February 16, 1919, the National Constitutional Assembly, consisting of only one Chamber, was duly elected on the basis of universal ami proportional suffrage, where every Austrian subject, male and female, has a vote if 20 years of age, and is eligible if 24 years of age. On the same basis the elections for the first Parliament were held (October, 1920), and these resulted in the following parties being returned : — Christian Socialists, 78 ; Social Democrats, 63 ; German Nationalists, 14 ; Peasants' Party. 4 ; Workers' Party, 1.

The Constitution, which was adopted October 1, 1920, and came into force on November 10, 1920, provides for a President, chosen by the two Houses assembled for a joint session ; his term is for 4 years, and he may be re-elected once only ; for an Assembly (Naiionalrat), elected by popular vote for 4 years ; and for a First Chamber (Bundesrat), chosen by the Provincial Diets in proportion to their population (at present the members number 46). The powers of the Bundesrat are advisory. Austria is declared to be a Democratic Republic composed of the seven provinces and the city of Vienna. All special privileges are abolished, and equal rights granted to aJl citizens.

President of the Republic. — Dr. Michael Hainisch. Born 1858. Elected December 9, 1920.

The Ministry, constituted on November 21, 1920, is as follows : —

State Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. — Dr. Michael Mayr (Christian Socialist).

Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Education. — Walter ifreulry (Administra- tive Official).

Minister of Commerce. — Edouard Hcinl (Christian Socialist).

Minister of Social Insurance. — Dr. Joseph Resch (Administrative Official).

Minister of Agriculture. — Alois Haueis (Christian Socialist).

Minister of Finance. — Dr. Ferdinand Grimm (Administrative Official).

Minister of Justice. — Dr. Rudolf Paliauf (Administrative Official).

Food Controller. — Dr. Alfred Griinberger (Christian Socialist).

Minuter of the Interior and of War. — Walter Breisky*

Minister of Railways. — Dr. Karl Pesta (Administrative Official).

The national flag consists of three horizontal stripes, the top and bottom being red and the centre white.

Local Government.

The Republic of Austria comprises 7 provinces, viz., Lower Austria. Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg, and the City of Vienna, which holds a special position in regard to local Government. Moreover the Burgenland ^German Western Hungary) is to fall to the Austrian Republic according to the Treaty of St Germain. There is in every province a Provincial Assembly (LandcsverSizmmlung), consisting likewise of one chamber which is elected on the basis of the same suffrage as the Con- stitutional National Assembly. The cultivation of the soil, the educational, ecclesiastical, and charitable institutions, as a'so public works, chiefly fall within the competence of the provinces. At the head of the Provincial Assembly is the Provincial Committee (Landetausschuss) elected by the Provincial Assemblv.