Cisleithanian legislative election, 1900–01

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Legislative elections to elect the members of the 10th Imperial Council were held in Cisleithania, the northern and western ("Austrian") crown lands of Austria-Hungary, from December 12, 1900 to January 18, 1901.[1]

Electoral system

The elections were held according to the parameters set in 1896 Badeni electoral reform. Voters were classified into five curiae according to their status and wealth. These curiae were: 1. landowners, 2. trade and industry chambers, 3. large and medium farmers, 4. all other male city residents who were annually paying at least 10 guilders (from year 1882 5) worth taxes, and 5. all men older than 24 year. Number of people that had a right to vote was only 6% of the adult population of Cisleithania. Voting took place in stages, with the last elections being held in 1st curiae in Lower Austria.[2]

Results

The largest groups after the election were the Polish Club, the Young Czech Party and the German People's Party which together had 164 seats.[3]

Elections did not significantly changed relations in the Imperial Council and had re-created a highly fragmented political spectrum. Young Czech Party saw some weakening due to the formation of independent political parties such as Republican Party of Farmers and Peasants and the Czech National Social Party. Czech National-socialists represented a new trend in voter preferences, strengthening the nationalist forces. Significantly, they succeed Pan-German Association. These elections led to the weakening of the social democratic parties, with the Social Democrats gaining only 10 seats. [4]

Compared with previous elections, turnout fell. In the 5th curia, under 30% of eligible voters voted. Historian Otto Urban interprets this as a result of the declining influence of the Council in the Austrian political life. At the same time it was a more general change of attitude towards the elected legislative bodies.[5]

Theses election did not have impact on the Government because the Cabinet of Ernest von Koerber had mandate until 1904 since it has been elected in year 1900.

Seats

In early February of 1901, the Imperial Council had 20 political groups:[6][7]

Grouping Seats
Poland Club61
Young Czech Party53
German People's Party48
Progressive Party32
Constitution Party30
German clerics30
Christian Social Party25
Pan-German League21
Czech Party of Conservative Landowners19
Italian Union19
Croatian-Slovenian Club16
Slav center15
Social Democratic Party10
Republican Party of Farmers and Peasants10
Polish People's Party8
Russians5
Romanians5
German agrarians4
Czech National Social Party4
Moravian Center Party3
Independents11
Total399

References

  1. Československé dějiny v datech. Prag : Svoboda, 1987. ISBN 80-7239-178-X. p. 327–328. (Czech)
  2. Urban, Otto: Česká společnost 1848–1918. Prag : Svoboda, 1982. p. 510–511. (In Czech)
  3. Československé dějiny v datech. Prag : Svoboda, 1987. ISBN 80-7239-178-X. p. 328. (In Czech)
  4. Urban, Otto: Česká společnost 1848-1918. Praha : Svoboda, 1982. p. 510-511. (In Czech)
  5. Urban, Otto: Česká společnost 1848-1918. Praha : Svoboda, 1982. p. 511. (In Czech)
  6. Marjan Diklić: Dvije pobjede don Ive Prodana na izborima za Carevinsko vijeće u Beču, Rad. Zavoda povij. znan. HAZU Zadru, sv. 45/2003., p. 388 (In Croatian)
  7. Československé dějiny v datech. Prag : Svoboda, 1987. ISBN 80-7239-178-X. p. 327–328. (In Czech)
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