In Austria during the 1970s extensive reforms in the area of family law were passed. These reforms were adopted unanimously in parliament with one exception. The reform of divorce law, which was carried out in 1978 by the implementation of two new laws, only partly was decided by common agreement. While the new possibility of di- vorce by consent was introduced with the votes of all parties, the new regulations on divorce against the will of the blameless spouse, led not only to the end of consent in parliament. It also evoked protest of the Catholic Church and the Social Democratic Women. The article provides an overview on the historical development of divorce law in Austria until 1945 and the reform process in the Second Republic with a focus on the social and political negotia- tions in the 1970s.