Federal Constitutional Law (Austrian act)

The Federal Constitutional Law (German: Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, abbreviated B-VG) is the centerpiece of the constitution of the Republic of Austria. The act defines Austria to be a democratic parliamentary republic with free multi-party elections and universal suffrage. It characterizes Austria as a federation (Bund) consisting of nine federal states (Bundesländer) but vests the supposed states it creates with comparatively little autonomy.

The Law does not include a comprehensive bill of rights.

The act was drafted following the 1918 collapse of Austria-Hungary and promulgated in 1920. It underwent significant revisions in 1925 and 1929, the latter reform changing the system of government from purely parliamentary to semi-presidential. The act was superseded by the authoritarian Ständestaat constitution in 1934, which itself became void with the 1938 incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany. It was reestablished when the nation regained independence from Germany in 1945. The Law was fully restored to force with the end of the Allied occupation in 1955 and has remained in force ever since.

The Federal Constitutional Law stipulates a bicameral parliament as the national legislature, the two chambers being the National Council and the Federal Council (Article 24). Law is created by the National Council. The Federal Council has certain veto powers but can be overruled by a National Council supermajority on most matters (Art. 41, 42).

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