Editing Politics of Austria (section)

==Direct democracy==
Austria's legal system distinguished between three different instruments of [[direct democracy]]: [[referendum]]s (''Volksabstimmungen''), [[Popular initiative|popular initiatives]] (''Volksbegehren'') and [[Opinion poll|national opinion polls]] (''Volksbefragungen'').<ref name="directdemocracy">[http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_wahlen/english_version/Instruments_Democrac.aspx Instruments of Direct Democracy]. ''Austrian Ministry of the Interior''. Retrieved 21 May 2010.</ref>

A referendum on a bill is to be held if a majority of the National Council's members demand it or by a resolution of the President, which has to be counter-signed by all members of government. Also, substantial changes to the constitution always require a referendum, while changes to parts of the constitution only require a referendum if at least one third of the members of the National Council or if the Federal Council demands it. The result of a referendum is binding and the bill in question is not passed into law if a majority votes against it. Until now there have been two referendums in Austria, the most recent being on its [[1994 Austrian European Union membership referendum|entry into the European Union]].<ref>[http://www.parlament.gv.at/EN/AP/PB/VOLKABST/PB_VOLKSABST-E_Portal.shtml Holding a Referendum]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Parliament of Austria. Retrieved 21 May 2010.</ref>

Popular initiatives can start a legislative process: if a popular initiative is signed by at least 100,000 registered voters, the National Council has to consider it. It takes precedence over all other matters on the National Council's agenda.<ref>[http://www.parlament.gv.at/EN/AP/PB/VOLKBG/PB_VOLKSBG-E_Portal.shtml Holding a Public Initiative]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Parliament of Austria. Retrieved 21 May 2010</ref> As of 2010, 32 initiatives have taken place since their introduction in 1963.<ref name="directdemocracy" />

National opinion polls or consultative referendums are held, unlike referendums, before the National Council passes a law. Its results are not legally binding. As of 2015, there has only been [[2013 Austrian conscription referendum|one national opinion poll]].