Austria/Tirol

Austria stands at the crossroads of Europe, a bridge between West and East and a country whose identity is deeply bound to the continent's history. It joined the European Union in 1995, together with Finland and Sweden, anchoring its post-war neutrality within a shared European project.

Since accession, Austria has been a committed member of the eurozone and the Schengen area. A federal republic of nine Länder, from the Alpine valleys of Tyrol to the Danube, it has a strong tradition of regional self-government and local identity, while Vienna, home to major international organisations, is a natural meeting point for dialogue across the continent. In the European Parliament Austria holds 20 seats (2024).

From the peaks of Tyrol to the banks of the Danube, Austria reflects a conviction dear to the European Democrats: that a Europe of strong communities and shared responsibility is a Europe closer to its citizens.