Editing Chancellor of Austria

{{short description|Head of government of Austria}}
{{about|the office|a list of Austrian chancellors|List of chancellors of Austria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}} 
{{Infobox official post
| post = Federal Chancellor
| body = Republic of Austria
| native_name = {{native name|de|Bundeskanzler der Republik Österreich}}
| insignia = Austria Bundesadler.svg
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = [[Coat of arms of Austria|Coat of Arms]]
| insigniaalt = 
| flag = Flag of Austria (state).svg
| flagsize = 
| flagalt = 
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = [[Flag of Austria|State flag]]
| image = 2025 Christian Stocker (54362633314) (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 
| alt = 
| imagecaption = 
| incumbent = [[Christian Stocker]]
| acting = 
| incumbentsince = 3 March 2025
| department = [[Chancellery (Austria)|Chancellery]]
| style = Mr Chancellor<br />[[Excellency|His Excellency]] (diplomatic)
| type = [[Head of government]]
| status = [[Supreme executive organ]]<br />[[Minister (Austria)|Minister]]
| abbreviation = 
| member_of = [[Government of Austria|Cabinet]]<br />[[European Council]]<br />National Security Council
| reports_to = 
| residence = 
| seat = [[Chancellery (Austria)|Chancellery Building]]<br />[[Ballhausplatz]], [[Innere Stadt]], [[Vienna]]
| appointer = [[President of Austria|President]]
| appointer_qualified = 
| termlength = No fixed term
| termlength_qualified = 
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Austria]]
| precursor = [[List of ministers-president of Austria|Minister-President of Cisleithania]]
| formation = {{date and age|1918|10|30|df=yes|p=1|br=1}}
| first = [[Karl Renner]]
| last = 
| abolished = 
| superseded_by = 
| succession = 
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy = [[Vice-Chancellor of Austria|Vice-Chancellor]]
| salary = €306,446 annually
| website = {{url|federal-chancellery.gv.at}}
| footnotes = 
}}
{{Politics of Austria}}
The '''chancellor of Austria''', officially the '''federal chancellor of the Republic of Austria''' ({{Langx|de|Bundeskanzler der Republik Österreich}}), is the [[head of government]] of the [[Austria|Republic of Austria]].

[[List of chancellors of Austria|Twenty-nine people]] (twenty-eight men and one woman) have served as chancellor. The current holder of the office [[Christian Stocker]] was sworn in on 3 March 2025 as chancellor.

== The chancellor's place in Austria's political system ==
Austria's chancellor chairs and leads the [[cabinet of Austria|cabinet]], which is composed of the chancellor, the [[Vice-Chancellor of Austria|vice chancellor]] and the [[Minister (Austria)|ministers]]. Together with the [[President of Austria|president]], who is [[head of state]], the cabinet forms the country's [[Supreme executive organ (Austria)|executive branch leadership]].

Austria is a [[parliamentary republic]], the [[government|system of government]] in which real power is vested in the head of government. However, in Austria most executive actions of great extent can only be exercised by the president, upon advice or with the countersignature of the chancellor or a specific minister. Therefore the chancellor often requires the president's consent to implement greater decisions. Neither the ministers nor the vice chancellor report to the chancellor.

In legislature, the chancellor's power depends on the size of their affiliated [[parliamentary group]]. In case of a [[coalition cabinet]], the chancellor commonly is the leader of the party most represented in the [[National Council (Austria)|National Council]], with the leader of the party able to grant a majority, usually serving as the vice chancellor.

The first Austrian [[Sovereign state|sovereign]] head of government was the State Chancellor of the Austrian Empire, a position only held by [[Klemens von Metternich]]. The office was later renamed to [[Minister-President of the Austrian Empire]] and remained from there on until the [[Aftermath of World War I#Austria-Hungary|dissolution of]] [[Austria-Hungary]]. The first head of government after the monarchy was the State Chancellor of [[German-Austria]], an office again only held by one person; [[Karl Renner]]. After [[Allies of World War I|allied powers]] declined a union between Austria and [[Germany]], the office was renamed to just State Chancellor of Austria and later changed to Federal Chancellor, which remained the position's final form until present day.

The [[official residence]] and executive office of the chancellor is the [[Chancellery of Austria|chancellery]], which is located at the [[Ballhausplatz]] in the [[Innere Stadt|center]] of [[Vienna]]. Both the chancellor as well as the cabinet are appointed by the president and can be dismissed by the president.

The current officeholder is [[Christian Stocker]], who was sworn in as chancellor on 3 March 2025 by President [[Alexander Van der Bellen]].

== History ==
The use of the term [[Chancellor]] ({{lang|de|Kanzler}}, derived from {{langx|la|cancellarius}}) as head of the [[Chancery (medieval office)|chancery]] writing office can be traced back as far as the 9th century, when under King [[Louis the German]] the office of the [[Archchancellor]] ({{lang|de|Erzkanzler}}), later Imperial Chancellor ({{lang|de|Reichserzkanzler}}), was created as a [[Prince-elector|high office]] on the service of the [[Holy Roman Emperor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reichserzkanzler.de/index.php?id=492 |title=Interdisziplinärer Arbeitskreis Kurmainz und der Erzkanzler des Reiches: Reichserzkanzler |access-date=20 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707170316/http://www.reichserzkanzler.de/index.php?id=492 |archive-date=7 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The task was usually fulfilled by the [[Electorate of Mainz|Prince-Archbishops of Mainz]] as Archchancellors of the [[Kingdom of Germany|German lands]].

In the course of the [[Imperial reform]], the [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] Emperor [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] in 1498 attempted to counter the spiritual power of the {{lang|de|Reichserzkanzler}} with a more secular position of an Imperial Court Chancellor ({{lang|de|Hofkanzler}}), but the two became merged. These were also the times when attempts were made to balance Imperial absolutism by the creation of [[Imperial Government]]s ({{lang|de|Reichsregiment}}), ultimately a failure.

=== Habsburg Monarchy ===
Nevertheless, when Maximilian's grandson [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]] succeeded him as [[Archduchy of Austria|Archduke of Austria]] in 1521, his elder brother [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles V]] (1519–1556) appointed [[Mercurino Gattinara]] as "Grand Chancellor of all the realms and kingdoms of the king" ({{lang|de|Großkanzler aller Länder und Königreiche}}). The separate position of an Austrian Court Chancellor appeared as a  {{lang|de|Österreichische Hofkanzlei}} around 1526, when the [[Habsburg monarchy]] arose with the [[Kingdom of Bohemia|Bohemian]] and [[Kingdom of Hungary (1000–1538)|Hungarian]] inheritance; it was however once again merged with the equivalent {{lang|de|Reichshofkanzlei}} office of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] in 1559.

Upon the 1620 [[Battle of White Mountain]] and the suppression of the Bohemian revolt, Emperor [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]] had separate Court Chancelleries established in order to strengthen the unity of the Habsburg hereditary lands. Beside a Bohemian and Hungarian chancellery, he created the office of an Austrian chancellor in [[Vienna]], responsible for the Archduchy of Austria proper (i.e. [[Upper Austria|Upper]] and [[Lower Austria]]) with the [[Inner Austria]]n territories and [[County of Tyrol|Tyrol]]. Under Emperor [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]] (1658–1705) the term again became {{lang|de|Hofkanzler}} with [[Johann Paul Freiherr von Hocher]] (1667–1683), and [[Theodor von Strattman]] (1683–1693).<ref name=cmh1911xiii>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924070596782 |title=Cambridge Modern History vol xiii 1911 |via=[[Internet Archive]] |year=1902 |publisher=Forgotten Books |access-date=20 September 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Wien - Bundeskanzleramt1.JPG|thumb|left|Federal Chancellery on Ballhausplatz, former {{lang|de|Geheime Hofkanzlei}}]]
The eighteenth century was dominated by Prince [[Wenzel Anton, Prince of Kaunitz-Rietberg|Wenzel Anton of Kaunitz-Rietberg]] (1753–1792), who was Chancellor to four Habsburg emperors from [[Maria Theresa]] to [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II]], with the titles of both {{lang|de|Hofkanzler}} and {{lang|de|[[Staatskanzler]]}}. He was succeeded by [[Philipp von Cobenzl|Johann Philipp von Cobenzl]] (1792–1793), who was dismissed by Emperor Francis II over the [[Partition of Poland]] and was succeeded by [[Johann Amadeus von Thugut]] (1793–1800). Thugut's chancellorship did not survive the Austrian defeats by the French at the battles of [[Battle of Marengo|Marengo]] and [[Battle of Hohenlinden|Hohenlinden]] in 1800 and he was replaced by [[Count Ludwig von Cobenzl]] (1800–1805), his predecessor's cousin, but who in turn was dismissed following the Austrian defeat at [[Battle of Austerlitz|Austerlitz]] in 1805.

=== Austrian Empire ===
With the consequent dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and founding of the [[Austrian Empire]], Francis II abdicated the former Imperial Throne, but remained Emperor Francis I of Austria in 1806. He had replaced Cobenzl with [[Johann Philipp Stadion, Count von Warthausen]] (1805–1809) the previous year, but his career was in turn cut short in 1809 following yet another Austrian defeat by [[Napoleon]] at the [[Battle of Wagram]] and subsequent humiliation at the [[Treaty of Schönbrunn]]. Prince [[Klemens von Metternich]] was appointed by Francis I to the positions of {{lang|de|Hofkanzler}} and {{lang|de|Staatskanzler}} (1821–1848). However, there is some opinion that the Chancellor title was not used between Prince Kaunitz-Rietberg's resignation in 1792 and 1821.<ref>[http://www.kaisergruft.at/kaisergruft/metternich.htm Kaisergruft: Metternich] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115013942/http://www.kaisergruft.at/kaisergruft/metternich.htm |date=15 January 2012 }}</ref> 
As the [[Concert of Europe|Metternich system]] had become a synonym for his reactionary politics, the title of a State Chancellor was abolished upon the [[revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire|1848 revolutions]]. The position became that of a [[List of Ministers-President of Austria|Minister-President of Austria]], equivalent to Prime Minister, with the exception of [[Count Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust]] (1867–1871)<ref name=cmh1911xiii/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austria-lexikon.at/ebook/wbin/ambrosius.html#thumbview=2p&book=Lexika/Oesterreich_Lexikon_Band1&pageid=00000168&layer=default1&pagenum=170 |title=Austria Forum Web Books Viewer |access-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180614/http://www.austria-lexikon.at/ebook/wbin/ambrosius.html#thumbview=2p&book=Lexika/Oesterreich_Lexikon_Band1&pageid=00000168&layer=default1&pagenum=170 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
the title only re-emerging at the birth of [[Republic of German Austria|German Austria]] after [[World War I]] in 1918, when [[Karl Renner]] was appointed {{lang|de|Staatskanzler}}. With the enactment of the [[Constitution of Austria]] on 10 November 1920, the actual term {{lang|de|Bundeskanzler}} was implemented as head of the executive branch of the [[First Republic of Austria|First Austrian Republic]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

== Appointment ==
The Chancellor is appointed and sworn in by the [[President of Austria|President]].<ref>[[Federal Constitutional Law (Austrian act)|Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz]] article 70</ref> In theory, the President can appoint anyone eligible to be elected to the [[National Council (Austria)|National Council]], essentially meaning any Austrian national over the age of 18.<ref>B-VG art. 26</ref> In practice, a Chancellor is unable to govern without the confidence of the National Council. For this reason, the Chancellor usually is the leader of the largest party in the National Council, or the senior partner in a [[coalition government]]. A notable exception to this occurred after the [[1999 Austrian legislative election|1999 election]]. The [[Freedom Party of Austria|Freedom Party]] won the most seats and went into coalition with the [[Austrian People's Party|People's Party]]. While this would have normally made Freedom Party leader [[Jörg Haider]] Chancellor, he was deemed too controversial to be a member of the Cabinet, let alone Chancellor. He thus stepped aside in favour of People's Party leader [[Wolfgang Schüssel]].

There are no term limits for the Chancellor. As a matter of constitutional convention, the Chancellor usually offers their resignation to the President upon dissolution of the National Council. The President usually declines the offer of resignation and directs the Chancellor and the cabinet to operate as a [[caretaker government]] until a new National Council is in session and a new majority leader has emerged. In fact, the constitution expressly encourages the President to use a Chancellor as the interim successor.<ref>B-VG art. 71</ref>

A Chancellor is typically appointed or dismissed together with all of the ministers, which means the whole government. Technically, the President can only appoint ministers on advice of the Chancellor, so the Chancellor is appointed first. Having been sworn in, the Chancellor presents the President with a list of ministers; they will usually have been installed just minutes later. Neither Chancellors nor ministers need to be confirmed by either house of parliament; the appointees are fully capable of discharging the functions of their respective offices immediately after having been sworn in.<ref name="B-VG art. 70">B-VG art. 70</ref>

The National Council can force the President to dismiss a Chancellor or a minister through a [[vote of no confidence]]. The President is constitutionally required to sack any minister whom the National Council wants gone.<ref>B-VG art. 74</ref> Opposition parties will sometimes table votes of no confidence against ministers, and occasionally whole cabinets, in order to demonstrate criticism; these votes had not been expected to pass. The first successful vote of no confidence in Austrian federal politics took place in May 2019 when [[Sebastian Kurz]] was ousted as Chancellor.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/what-happens-if-austrias-chancellor-is-voted-out/a-48821380 What happens if Austria's chancellor is voted out?] DW, 21 May 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/27/austrian-far-right-to-back-vote-of-no-confidence-in-chancellor-kurz Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz ousted in no-confidence vote.] euronews.com, 27 May 2019.</ref>

== Role and powers ==
[[File:Ministerrat.JPG|thumb|Ministers Council room in the [[Federal Chancellery (Austria)|Federal Chancellery]].]]

The Chancellor chairs the meetings of the [[cabinet of Austria|cabinet]]. The [[Constitution of Austria|constitution]] does not vest the Chancellor with the authority to issue directions to ministers; it characterizes his or her role in the cabinet as that of a ''[[primus inter pares]]''.<ref>B-VG art. 69</ref> The power of the office to set policy derives partly from its inherent prestige, partly from the fact that the President is required to dismiss ministers the Chancellor requests removed,<ref name="B-VG art. 70"/> and partly from the Chancellor's position of leadership in the party or coalition controlling the National Council.

Most articles of the constitution that mention the office of Chancellor are tasking the incumbent with notarizing decisions by the President or by various constitutional bodies, with ensuring that these decisions are duly announced to the general public, or with acting as an intermediary between various branches of government. In particular, the Chancellor
* submits bills passed by the National Council to the President for certification,
* countersigns certifications of bills made by the President,<ref>B-VG art. 47</ref>
* announces the bills that have thus become laws,
* announces treaties the Republic of Austria is party to upon ratification,<ref>B-VG art. 49</ref>
* announces Constitutional Court decision overturning laws or executive orders,<ref>B-VG art. 140</ref>
* announces the results of Presidential elections,<ref name="B-VG art. 60">B-VG art. 60</ref>
* announces changes to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the [[Federal Council (Austria)|Federal Council]],<ref>B-VG art. 37</ref>
* countersigns decisions reached by the [[Federal Assembly (Austria)|Federal Assembly]],<ref name="B-VG art. 40">B-VG art. 40</ref>
* announces declarations of war,<ref name="B-VG art. 40"/> and
* notifies provincial governments of bills passed by the National Council that require their assent to become law.<ref>B-VG art. 42a</ref>

The Chancellor also convenes the Federal Assembly if the National Council moves to have the President removed from office,<ref name="B-VG art. 60"/> or if the National Council moves to lift the immunity of the President from criminal prosecution.<ref>B-VG art. 63</ref> In the former case, the Federal Assembly votes on whether to allow a referendum on the matter. In the latter case, the assent of the Federal Assembly is required for the President's immunity to be rescinded.

Finally, the Chancellor becomes Acting President if the President is incapacitated. However, if the President remains incapacitated beyond twenty days or has died, the role of Acting President is passed on to the three Presidents of the National Council.<ref>B-VG art. 64</ref>
<!-- Thus, although considered as the most powerful political position by the [[public opinion]] in Austria, he has a considerably weaker standing than the US President or the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]]. The Chancellor normally chairs the largest [[List of political parties in Austria|political party]] in the Austrian parliament. his political power is devolved from within the party, and can vary depending on his personality and whether there is a [[coalition government]]. Especially his relationship with the [[Federal Ministry of Finance (Austria)|Federal Minister of Finance]] has proven vital in the last decades.

The long-lasting ''[[Proporz]]'' constellation of two approximately equipollent coalition parties has led to some incrustations in Austrian politics.The Chancellor's authority is much stronger in a single-party cabinet, which only [[Josef Klaus]] and [[Bruno Kreisky]] have achieved so far. On the other hand, in 2000 [[Wolfgang Schüssel]] was appointed Chancellor of a highly controversial coalition government with the far-right [[Freedom Party of Austria|Freedom Party]] (FPÖ), although his [[Austrian People's Party]] (ÖVP) then had only been third in the previous parliamentary election. -->

== See also ==
* [[Politics of Austria]]
* [[Constitution of Austria]]
* [[Austrian Government]]
* [[List of chancellors of Austria]]
* [[Vice-Chancellor of Austria]]
* [[Chancellery of Austria]]
* [[President of Austria]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website}}

{{AustrianChancellors}}
{{Europe heads of state and government}}
{{European Council}}
[[Category:Chancellors of Austria| ]]
[[Category:Government of Austria|Chancellor]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in Austria|Chancellor]]