(1) All the Federal President's responsibilities, should he be prevented from their discharge, pass in the first instance to the Federal Chancellor. If the impediment lasts longer than twenty days or if pursuant to Art. 60 para. 6 the Federal President is prevented from the discharge of his office, the President, the Second President, and the Third President of the National Council acting as a committee shall undertake the responsibilities of the Federal President. The same holds good if the position of the Federal President is continuously in abeyance.
(2) The committee entrusted according to para. 1 above with the exercise of the Federal President's functions decides by majority vote. Chairmanship of the committee devolves on the President of the National Council, likewise its representation in public.
(3) Is one or are two of the National Council's Presidents prevented from the discharge of their responsibilities or is their position continuously in abeyance, the committee still constitutes a quorum even without their participation; in the event of a tie, the President senior in rank has the casting vote.
(4) In case the position of the Federal President is continuously in abeyance, the Federal Government shall immediately arrange the election of the new Federal President; after the ensuing election the committee shall without delay convoke the Federal Assembly for the affirmation of the Federal President.
