The Chancellor is appointed by the President of Austria who is theoretically totally free in his choice. The Chancellor assumes his office immediately after the appointment and is sworn in by the president. Thus, a confirmation by the National Council (the Lower House of the Austrian parliament) is not necessary. However, since the National Council has the right to pass a motion of no confidence at any time, the president has to take the majority opinion of the National Council into account.
1) In 1933 Austria's democratic institutions were overthrown and replaced by an authoritarian government, of which Engelbert Dollfuß and Kurt Schuschnigg were dominating figures, see Austrofascism
2) Due to pressure of National-Socialist Germany, the last Austrian president, Wilhelm Miklas, reluctantly appointed Seyß-Inquart as chancellor. Seyß-Inquart's only tasks were to prepare the Anschluss and facilitate the dissolution of the independent Austrian state.
1 Entirely in Southwest Asia; included here because of cultural, political and historical association with Europe. 2 Partially or entirely in Asia, depending on the definition of the border between Europe and Asia.
