Bundesverfassung#

Federal Constitution of Austria, contains all Austrian constitutional laws, i.e., the Federal Constitutional Law of 1920 as amended in 1929; in Austrian legal texts generally referred to as "Bundesverfassung" or "Bundesverfassungsgesetz" (B-VG); contains provisions as to the law-making process (legislation and execution); the position of high-ranking governmental bodies; legal protection; and the system of checks and balances. It is based on the following principles: the Democratic Principle (the law emanates from the people); the Federal Principle ( Federal State); the Principle of the Rule of Law (the entire State administration may only be carried on upon the basis of the laws; civil and criminal matters are adjudicated by independent courts); the Republican Principle (the Federal President is head of state and has a limited term of office); the Principle of the Separation of Powers (separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers; system of checks and balances); and the Liberal Principle (civil liberties, fundamental rights). Furthermore, the Federal Constitution contains provisions as to the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, laid down in detail in the State Fundamental Law on the General Rights of Citizens, and in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Literature#