Frequently Asked Questions
The Federal President of the Republic of Austria always strives to stimulate democratic dialogue and to make contact with Austrian citizens as often as possible. He is happy to answer letters, speak with individuals having concerns on the telephone, and reply to the vast number of e-mail messages he receives.As you can imagine, many citizens have similar questions; we have collected the most frequently asked of these here and provided answers to them.
If your question does not appear on the list, you can of course send your requests or concerns directly to the Office of the Federal President.
Overview of FAQs:
- How can I contact President Fischer?
- How long is the Austrian Federal President’s term?
- Who can serve as the Federal President?
- Can the President hold another job while in office?
- Who replaces the President if he is unable to carry out his duties?
- When does the Austrian flag fly over the Hofburg palace?
- How can I receive a honorary award from the Federal President?
- Over which organisations does the Federal President exercise patronage?
- What is the difference between patronage and honorary patronage?
- How can I see a guest of state during a State visit?
- Is it possible to visit the Federal President’s offices?
1. How can I contact President Fischer?
You can contact the President by letter (Hofburg, Bellariator, A‑1014 Vienna), use the e-mail form [Link to “Requests and Concerns”] available on this site, or send an e-mail message to heinz.fischer@hofburg.at. To receive a response, you will need to include your mailing address. During his numerous visits to the federal states, the President endeavours to establish a direct dialogue with all citizens, be available for questions, and take suggestions.
2. How long is the Austrian Federal President’s term?
The President serves a six-year term and can be re-elected once. To date, only President Rudolf Kirchschläger has served two full terms.
3. Who can serve as the Federal President?
Any Austrian citizen who is 35 years old as of the end of election day can serve. A potential candidate for the presidency must be nominated and the nomination supported by at least 6000 signatures. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (Herrengasse 7, A‑1014 Vienna) is responsible for holding presidential elections. For more detailed information about how the President is elected, see this ministry’s home page at www.bmi.gv.at/wahlen.
4. Can the President hold another job while in office?
No. While in office, the Federal President may not belong to any general representative bodies and may not practise any other profession (Article 61(1) of the Austrian Constitution (Österreichisches Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz)).
5. Who replaces the President if he is unable to carry out his duties?
If the President is unable to carry out his duties, he is replaced by the Federal Chancellor. Should this situation last longer than 20 days, the functions of the head of state are assumed by the President and second and third Presidents of the National Assembly as a collegial body. This is also true in the case of permanent removal from the position (death or removal by the Federal Assembly).
6. When does the Austrian flag fly over the Hofburg palace?
The red-and-white flag bearing Austria’s coat of arms is raised when the Federal President is in the country. When the President is abroad, the flag is not flown for the duration of his absence. During periods of national mourning, the flag is flown at half staff.
7. How can I receive an honorary award from the Federal President?
Honorary awards conferred by the head of state are donated cups. They are reserved exclusively for world championships or events in connection with sports for the disabled.
8. Over which organisations does the Federal President exercise patronage?
Traditionally, the Federal President is a patron of only a select few large institutions or organisations. They are: the Austrian Red Cross, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Licht ins Dunkel [Light in the Dark] campaign, the Nachbar in Not [Neighbours in Need] campaign, the Austrian Olympic Committee, the Austrian Union of Alpine Associations (Austrian Alpine Association, Austrian Friends of Nature, Austrian Tourists’ Club, Bergsteigervereinigung [Mountaineering Federation] and alpine clubs), the Federation of Austrian-Foreign Societies, and the “Austrian Initiative Against Blindness” project of the Christoffel Blind Mission and Light for the World.
9. What is the difference between patronage and honorary patronage?
In acknowledgement of their overall work, the President exercises patronage over a few special institutions or associations. The Federal President’s honorary patronage is intended for large interregional, charitable, scientific and cultural events. Applications for honorary patronage must not only demonstrate the event’s significance to our country, but also ensure that the project is legally protected, its financing has been established, and its implementation is feasible from an organisational standpoint. Honorary patronage by the President cannot be shared with any other leading figures (except foreign heads of state). Honorary patronage over commercial events by the President is not possible.
10. How can I see a guest of state during a State visit?
As an external sign of a State visit, the guest is received with military honours in the Innerer Burghof court. All citizens are cordially invited to this ceremony, which is announced by the media. As the guest is received with military honours, the national anthems of both the guest’s country and Austria are played. Then the Federal President walks down the famous red carpet with his guest to review an honour guard, after which he conducts the foreign head of state to his offices in the Leopoldine wing of Vienna’s Hofburg palace for political talks.
11. Is it possible to visit the Federal President’s offices?
For organisational reasons, individual visits unfortunately are not possible. However, the President arranges “Open House Days,” to which citizens are cordially invited. Also, in the future, “School Days” will be held at the Hofburg palace in Vienna.
© 2010 The Federal President of the Republic of Austria : imprint : legal notes : contact
