Austrian Parliament

The Austrian Parliament (German: Parlament Österreich) is the bicameral federal legislature of Austria. It has two main parts, called chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council. Sometimes, these two groups come together as the Federal Assembly for special occasions.

These groups meet in a big building known as the Austrian Parliament Building located in the city of Vienna. The Parliament is where people make laws and important decisions for the country of Austria. It helps ensure that the government works well and represents the needs of all Austrian citizens.

Overview

The National Council has 183 members who are chosen by voters in elections. These elections happen every five years, but can happen sooner if needed. The National Council is the main part of Austria's Parliament, so people often use "Parliament" and "National Council" to mean the same thing.

The Federal Council is chosen by leaders from Austria's nine States. The number of seats each state has depends on its population. Right now, the Federal Council has 60 members. For most decisions, the Federal Council can only delay changes, but the National Council can still make them happen. However, the Federal Council can fully stop changes that would affect the powers of the states or itself.

The Federal Assembly is made up of members from both the National Council and the Federal Council. It usually meets only for special events, like when a new Federal President begins their job. In very rare and important situations, the Federal Assembly has big responsibilities.

All of these groups meet in the parliament building on the Vienna Ring Road. From 2017 to 2022, they met in the Redoute Wing of the Hofburg while their usual building was being fixed.