Proporz

   / Proportionality

   Closely observed from the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955 until 1966, the proportionality system guaranteed that each of the major postwar Austrian political parties, the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), received a certain number of political offices and government jobs filled through patronage. These positions were in nationalized industries, railroads, banks, and postal facilities, as well as in federal and local governments and administrations. The policy, although it undercut the legislative powers of the new parliament, helped to curb the party antagonisms that had split Austria into implacably hostile camps between 1918 and 1938. It contributed materially to the political stabilization of Austria and to the economic recovery of the country after World War II. Following general elections, each party named delegates to a Coalition Committee that allocated the positions after voting to set the number each fraction received. Nevertheless, the ÖVP usually received the ministries of education, trade, agriculture, and defense. The SPÖ consistently controlled interior, justice, welfare, and transportation. Should an ÖVP member be minister of education, the undersecretary would be a Socialist, and the other way around. Upon unanimous consent among its members, the committee also sent legislative proposals to the parliament, which normally approved what was put before it.

   See also Parity Commission for Prices and Wages.