The Austrian People's Party

The Austrian People's Party was created in Vienna in 1945 by leaders of the former Christian Social Party (CSP).

The founders of the OVP deliberately distanced the party from the Catholic Church, unlike its predecessor. The OVP emerged as a conservative, democratic party based on Christian values that sought to include diverse interests.

From 1945 to 1966, OVP politicians filled the post of chancellor in a series of grand coalition governments with the SPO. From 1966 to 1970, the OVP ruled alone and thereafter entered a long period of opposition to the SPO, which ended in early 1987 when the two parties formed a new coalition government.

The OVP periodically has revised its party program. During the 1945-55 period, the party advocated low taxes, reduced government expenditures, a balanced budget, and low wage increases. The OVP favored a limited government role in the economy. After much debate, in 1965 the party adopted the Klagenfurt Manifesto, which referred to the OVP as an "open people's party" of the "new center." It stressed the importance of expanding economic welfare and educational opportunities for all social groups.

After suffering losses in the 1970 parliamentary election, the OVP entered opposition for the first time. A wide-ranging discussion of principles took place at all levels of the party. The outcome of this process was the 1972 Salzburg Program, which described the OVP as a "progressive center party" dedicated to integrating Austria's different social groups. The program reaffirmed the party's commitment to a free and independent country, a multiparty democracy, and a social market economy combining free enterprise and some government intervention. The OVP has a less centralized form of party organization than the SPO.At the top is the party presidium, composed of the party chairman, the chancellor and vice chancellor (if they are members of the OVP), the general secretary, up to six deputies to the chairman, the leader of the party's parliamentary faction, and eight additional members drawn from the provinces and interest groups affiliated with the party. The party holds a national conference at least once every three years. Roughly 600 delegates from the provinces and the party's auxiliary organizations attend the conference, which elects the party chairman, the deputies, and the general secretary.

Auxiliary organizations play important roles in the OVP's internal workings. The key organizations are the League of Austrian Workers, the League of Austrian Business, and the League of Austrian Farmers. These organizations represent the OVP in the chambers of labor, commerce, and agriculture, respectively. Until 1980 the leaders of these three groups were automatically placed on the party presidium. However, this practice was abandoned after many party members complained about undue influence by interest groups over OVP affairs. This reform was yet another indication of the erosion in the influence of the traditional Lager over Austrian society.

Other Parties

The Social Democratic Party of Austria
The Greens
The Freedom Party
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Other Parties

The Social Democratic Party of Austria

The Greens

The Freedom Party

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, OVP leader with his new partner, Jorg Haider

Demonstrators outside the Austrian parliment

Protesters clash with police in Vienna

Prince Charles of England delays his trip to Austria after being advised to do so by UK government