President of Austria

The Austrian Federal President (German: Österreichischer Bundespräsident) is the federal head of state of Austria. Though theoretically entrusted with great power by the constitution, in practice the President acts, for the most part, merely as a ceremonial figurehead. The President of Austria is directly elected by universal adult suffrage once in every six years. His or her offices are located in the Leopoldine Wing of the Hofburg Imperial Palace, in Vienna.

Election

The President of Austria is elected by popular vote for a term of six years and is limited to two terms of office. Voting is open to all of those entitled to vote in elections to the National Council and, in practice, this means that suffrage is universal for all of those over the age of eighteen. With the exception of members of the House of Habsburg, who are still barred as a measure of precaution against monarchist subversion, anyone entitled to vote in elections to the National Council who is at least 35 years of age is eligible for the office of president.

Related Topics:
National Council - House of Habsburg - Monarchist

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The President is elected under the Two Round system. This means that if no candidate receives an absolute majority (i.e. more than half) of votes cast in the first round, then a second ballot occurs in which only those two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the first round may stand. However the constitution also provides that the group that nominates one of these two candidates may nominate an alternative candidate in his or her place in the second round. If there is only one candidate standing in a presidential election then the electorate is granted the opportunity to either accept or reject him or her in a referendum.

Related Topics:
Two Round system - Referendum

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While in office the President cannot belong to an elected body or hold any other occupation. Article 62 of the constitution provides that the president must take the following oath or affirmation of office in the presence of the Federal Assembly (although the insertion of religious references into the wording is permissible):

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:I solemnly promise that I shall faithfully observe the Constitution and all the laws of the Republic and shall fulfill my duty to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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