Austrian Parliament

Austrian Parliament Österreichisches Parlament
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Federal Council National Council
Leadership
President of the Federal Council	Franz Ebner(ÖVP) since 1 July 2024
President of the National Council	Wolfgang Sobotka(ÖVP) since 20 December 2017
Structure
Seats	244 61 (Federal Council) 183 (National Council)
Federal Councilpolitical groups	Government(31) ÖVP(25) Greens(6) Opposition (30) SPÖ(18) FPÖ(11) NEOS(1)
National Councilpolitical groups	Government(97) ÖVP(71) Greens(26) Opposition (86) SPÖ(40) FPÖ(30) NEOS(15) Independent(1)
Elections
Federal Councilvoting system	Appointment byState Landtage
National Councilvoting system	Proportional representation
LastNational Councilelection	29 September 2024
Meeting place
Parliament Building Vienna,Austria
Website
parlament.gv.at

TheAustrian Parliament(‹See Tfd›German:Österreichisches Parlament) is thebicameralfederallegislatureofAustria.It consists of two chambers – theNational Counciland theFederal Council.In specific cases, both houses convene as theFederal Assembly.The legislature meets in theAustrian Parliament BuildinginVienna.

Overview

National Council 183 members elected directly in general elections term of office: 5 years	Federal Council variable membership, currently 61 members elected indirectly through provincial diets revolving membership, term of delegates varies by province
Federal Assembly (joint session of both houses)

TheNational Councilis composed of 183 members elected throughproportional representationin a general election. The legislative period lasts five years, elections are held earlier if the National Council prematurely moves for its own dissolution. The National Council is the dominant (albeit 'lower') house in the Austrian Parliament, and consequently the termsParliamentandNational Councilare commonly used synonymously.

TheFederal Councilis elected indirectly, through the provincial assemblies (Landtage) of the nineStatesof the Federal Republic, and reflects thedistribution of seats in the Austrian Landtage.The states are represented in the Federal Council roughly in accordance to the size of their populations. Seats are redistributed among the states following each general census, and the overall size of the chamber varies slightly as a result. The current Federal Council is composed of 61 delegates. With regard to most issues, the Federal Council only possesses a dilatory right of veto which can be overridden by the National Council. However, the Federal Council enjoys absolute veto powers over bills intended to alter the powers of either the states, or of the Federal Council itself.

TheFederal Assembly(Bundesversammlung) is a body whose function is mostly ceremonial in nature, and consists of the members of both houses of Parliament. The Federal Assembly convenes only rarely, for instance to witness the inauguration of theFederal President.It might be noted, however, that under exceptional circumstances theAustrian constitutionendows the Federal Assembly with significant responsibilities. An example of this would be its pivotal role in the hypothetical impeachment of a Federal President.

Both houses of parliament, as well as the Federal Assembly, convene in theparliament buildinglocated on theVienna Ring Road.From 2017 to 2022 they convened in theRedoute Wing of the Hofburgdue to a renovation of the parliament building.

See also

• Constitution of Austria
• Austrian Parliament Building
• Imperial Council (Austria),the legislature between 1861 and 1918
• Imperial Diet (Austria),1848–1849

External links

• The Austrian Parliament - Official Homepage (Engl. version)
• Austrian Parliament National Council Seating (DE version)
• Austrian Parliament Federal Council Seating (DE version)