Nationalrat

Austrian government

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July 1, 2026

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The Nationalrat is a legislative body within Austria's federal government structure. It is one of two houses in the Austrian parliament, the other being the Federal Council. The Nationalrat is elected by universal suffrage based on proportional representation. This body plays a crucial role in forming the federal government, with the chancellor and their cabinet being elected in the Nationalrat. The Nationalrat's composition and the proportional representation system have historically contributed to a stable, though often ideologically divided, political landscape in Austria.12

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Austria
Early postwar years
The Nationalrat (lower house) was to be elected by universal suffrage on a basis of proportional representation. The Bundesversammlung in full session elected the president of the republic for a four-year term, but the federal government, with the chancellor at its head, was elected in the…
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The Nationalrat (lower house) was to be elected by universal suffrage on a basis of proportional representation. The Bundesversammlung in full session elected the president of the republic for a four-year term, but the federal government, with the chancellor at its head, was elected in the…
Read More