Representation of women in the Austrian political system 1945-1998: From atoken female politician towards an equal ratio?

Since 1945 the situation of women in Austrian politics has changed slowly b ut surely. This article concentrates on the representation of women in the political parties, parliamentary delegations, and in the party leadership p ositions. The number of women in the individual political parties determine s the level of representation of women in parliament. In this connection, c hanges in legislation and party rules regarding the participation of women which took place after 1945 are analyzed, as well as the development of wom en's quotas in the party executive committees. I also compare the actual pr oportions of women in the party executives with the official targets given in the party rules where such quotas exist. Furthermore, the article discus ses channels of legislative recruitment and their effects on drawing up the party lists. Finally, the question of strengthening the preference voting system as a chance to increase women's quotas is dealt with from the viewpo int of various Austrian political parties.