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| Upper Austrian State Parliament | |
|---|---|
| Name | Upper Austrian State Parliament |
| Native name | Landtag von Oberösterreich |
| Legislature | 19th Landtag |
| House type | Landtag |
| Leader1 type | President |
| Leader1 | Manfred Haimbuchner |
| Party1 | FPÖ |
| Members | 56 |
| Meeting place | Linz |
Upper Austrian State Parliament is the unicameral legislative body of the Austrian state of Upper Austria, located in Linz. The Landtag represents the electorate of Upper Austria and exercises legislative, oversight, and budgetary authority within the competences of the Austrian constitution and the Federal Council of Austria. It sits in the former Provincial House and interacts with institutions such as the Austrian Federal Government, European Union institutions, and regional bodies including the Austrian Federal Council and neighboring states like Lower Austria and Salzburg.
The origins of provincial representation in Upper Austria trace to the administrative reforms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the revolutions of 1848, when provincial diets in cities such as Linz and Steyr debated modern constitutions and civic rights. After the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918, the provisional provincial assemblies reorganized under the First Austrian Republic; during the Austrian Civil War and the rise of authoritarian rule in the 1930s, provincial parliaments were curtailed. Following the restoration of Austrian democracy after World War II and the Allied occupation of Austria, the Landtag of Upper Austria was reconstituted and contributed to postwar reconstruction, cooperating with figures like Karl Renner and institutions such as the Austrian People's Party and the Social Democratic Party of Austria. Throughout the Cold War, the Landtag navigated relations with federal ministries, industrial entities like VOEST Alpine Stahl AG and cultural organizations such as the Bruckner Orchestra Linz.
The Landtag comprises 56 members elected from multiple constituencies across Upper Austria, including urban districts such as Linz and rural districts like Kirchdorf an der Krems and Grieskirchen. Parliamentary groups often mirror national parties including the Austrian People's Party, Social Democratic Party of Austria, Freedom Party of Austria, and The Greens – The Green Alternative. Leadership posts include the President of the Landtag, deputy presidents, and chairs of committees covering finance, education and culture (e.g., Linz State Theatre oversight), infrastructure, and agriculture sectors connected to entities like Agrana and Waldviertel initiatives. The Landtag also hosts delegations to bodies such as the Conference of Austrian Provincial Governments and cooperates with municipal councils in cities like Wels and Steyr.
Elections for the Landtag follow a proportional representation system within regional constituencies aligned to districts such as Braunau am Inn and Gmunden, under laws enacted by the State Constitution of Upper Austria. Parties such as the NEOS – The New Austria and smaller lists like regional citizen initiatives compete alongside national formations. The electoral calendar is influenced by federal cycles involving the Austrian National Council and local elections in municipalities like Bad Ischl. Electoral administration involves bodies including the Austrian Electoral Commission and district election offices in places like Vöcklabruck. Thresholds and seat allocation methods reflect precedents from postwar electoral reforms associated with politicians such as Leopold Kunschak.
The Landtag legislates on competencies reserved to the states under the Austrian constitution, including regional planning, cultural affairs connected to institutions like the Linz State Gallery, and aspects of education tied to the University of Art and Design Linz and vocational training providers. It approves the state budget, supervises the provincial government headed by the Governor of Upper Austria (Landeshauptmann), and ratifies appointments to provincial offices such as the provincial audit office and representatives to bodies like the Austrian Court of Audit. The Landtag can enact state laws that interact with federal statutes such as the Austrian Federal Constitutional Law and coordinate with European directives from the European Commission and rulings of the European Court of Justice when regional implementation is required.
Political groups in the Landtag are organized along party lines with caucuses for the Austrian People's Party, Social Democratic Party of Austria, Freedom Party of Austria, The Greens – The Green Alternative, and NEOS – The New Austria. Leadership roles include the Landtag President (Präsident), parliamentary group leaders, and committee chairs; notable political figures connected to the Landtag have engaged with federal leaders such as Sebastian Kurz and Christian Kern as well as local executives like the Governor of Upper Austria. Inter-party coalitions and negotiations often reference agreements and practices from other provinces like Tyrol and Styria.
Bills may originate from the provincial government, parliamentary groups, or citizen initiatives; they proceed through committee stages including finance, legal affairs, and social policy committees reminiscent of bodies in other Länder such as Carinthia. Debates are publiced in plenary sessions, amendments are proposed by group leaders, and final votes require majority support per rules established in the State Constitution and standing orders influenced by parliamentary practices at the Austrian National Council. Upon passage, laws are promulgated by the Governor and published in the provincial gazette used alongside federal publications like the Bundesgesetzblatt.
The Landtag meets in the Provincial House (Landhaus) in Linz, situated near landmarks such as the New Cathedral, Linz and the Danube River. The building hosts plenary chambers, committee rooms, archives, and exhibition spaces that collaborate with cultural institutions including the Linz Art University and the Lentos Art Museum Linz. Its facilities support delegations from international partners, municipal leaders from towns like Steyr and Wels, and visiting dignitaries associated with organizations such as the Council of Europe and regional chambers like the Upper Austria Chamber of Commerce.
Category:Politics of Upper Austria Category:Landtage in Austria