Nationalrat

Nationalrat, meaning National Council in German, is the designation used for the lower house of the national bicameral legislatures in several German-speaking countries. It typically functions as the primary chamber representing the population and plays a central role in lawmaking, budgeting, and oversight, though its exact powers vary by country.

In Switzerland, the Nationalrat (National Council) is the larger chamber of the Federal Assembly, alongside the Council of States (Ständerat). It has 200 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation, with seat distribution among cantons generally reflecting population. The Nationalrat drafts and passes federal laws, approves the federal budget, and oversees the federal administration, in cooperation with the Ständerat. Legislation requires approval by both chambers, which operate as equal partners within the Swiss system.

In Austria, the Nationalrat is the lower house of the Federal Parliament, with 183 members elected for five-year terms through party-list proportional representation. It elects the federal government, including the Chancellor, and has the authority to pass federal laws and budgets. The Nationalrat can express confidence or vote of no confidence in the government, subject to constitutional procedures. The upper house in Austria is the Federal Council (Bundesrat), which represents the states (Länder) and participates in certain legislative matters.

The term Nationalrat underscores the representative function of the national legislature in German-speaking states, though the specific composition, election method, and procedural powers of the chamber are defined by each country's constitution and political system.