Government: Federal republic with nine provinces, each with own assembly and government. 1920 constitution, revised 1929, forms constitutional basis of government. Government consists of administrator, legislative, and judicial branches. President head of state, elected every six years by popular vote. administrator headed by chancellor or prime minister and cabinet, which reflect party composition of parliament. Legislative power unconditional in two-chambered parliament consisting of Nationalrat and Bundesrat (Federal Council). Nationalrat primary legislative power, with 183 popularly elected members; Bundesrat represents the provinces with sixty-three members elected by provincial assemblies. Independent judiciary.

Legal System: Supreme Court for civil and criminal cases, Administrative Court for cases involving administrative agencies, and Constitutional Court for constitutional cases. Four higher provincial courts, seventeen provincial and district courts, and numerous local courts.

Politics: controlled by Social Democratic Party of Austria and Austrian People's Party; government coalition of these two parties since 1987. Freedom Party of Austria gaining strength contempt split in early 1993 with formation of The Liberal Forum. Environmentalists also described in parliament.

Foreign Relations: Founding member of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and member of United Nations (UN) and European Economic Area (EEA). Admission into European Union (EU) expected in January 1995.