strongly as before in the social and economic policy decision-making (Karlhofer 2000, pp.
26f.; Tálos 2000, p. 49).
The Ă–GB reacted to the harsher climate of the relationship with the new government by the
first general strike for 50 years in spring 2003 on pension reform plans.
One side-effect of the aggression towards the Chambers is the underlining of their
importance with the consequence that many members are not as indifferent towards them any
more as they were in the 1990s when the established system was characterised by
institutional inertia. This became evident in the last elections to the Chambers of Labour,
where electoral mobilization increased for the first time in years so that the turnout stood at
more than 40 percent. Winners of the elections were the social-democratic trade unionists,
i.e. the clearest opponents of the new government.
In summary, social partnership exhibits a high degree of continuity due to its ability to adapt
to changing environments. As competent experts they can still give their advice, yet they do
not enjoy the privileged, pre-determining role that they used to have. This tendency has been
visible in the actions of the interest organizations for a while, but is now officially
implemented as well on the part of the government. Especially due to the pressure of the
FPĂ–, which is not strongly represented in the social partnership organizations, the influence
of Chambers and trade unions was curtailed. Even if the social partners agreed on
compromises due to governmental pressure, these were disrespected – a practice that was
unthinkable so far (Wirtschaftsblatt, 22 October 2002).
6. Conclusion
Social partnership was challenged by various developments within the interest organizations
and its institutional environment. These shifts made the inherent legitimacy deficit of
centralized, top-down governed, and partly compulsory, associations become apparent. The
interest organizations reacted to these challenges by introducing more democratic elements,
such as decentralization, more co-determination rights on the lower organizational levels, as
well as referenda and opinion polls among their members. Thus, the social partners,
especially the Chambers, proved that they are able to react to changed societal and political
circumstances and the democratic deficit they encountered although admittedly mainly out of
fear of existence. Apart from improved services, recurrent referenda about the continuance of
compulsory membership might be one way to ensure the necessary legitimacy of a
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Convention