Federalism in Austria

III. The Political System: Federalism as one of the core constitutional principles Federalism is a basic constitutional principle. Federal Constitution provides a distribution ofpowers (competences) between the federation and thenine Länder. Länder enjoy some constitutional autonomy and arerepresented at the level of federal lawmaking (FederalCouncil – Second Chamber). Austria belongs to the most centralized federal statesworldwide. Länder are compensated by a strong system of cooperativefederalism and large executiveresponsibilities on behalf of the federation (indirectfederal administration).