Federal Assembly (Austria) facts for kids

The Federal Assembly (called Bundesversammlung in German) is a special meeting in Austria. It brings together members from two important parts of the Austrian Parliament: the National Council and the Federal Council. Think of it as a big joint meeting where both groups come together.

What is the Federal Assembly?

The Federal Assembly is a formal joint session of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. Austria has a "bicameral" parliament, which means it has two main parts or "chambers." These are the National Council and the Federal Council. When the Federal Assembly meets, the leaders of these two chambers are in charge of the meeting.

What Does the Federal Assembly Do?

Since 1945, the Federal Assembly has had one main job. It meets only to officially swear in the elected President of Austria. When a new president is chosen by the people, the Federal Assembly comes together for this important ceremony.

The President of Austria

The President of Austria is the head of state for the country. This person is elected by the people of Austria. The president has several important duties, like representing Austria on the world stage. The Federal Assembly plays a key role in making their election official.

Austria's Parliament

Austria's Parliament is where laws are made and important decisions for the country are discussed.

• The National Council is the more powerful of the two houses. Its members are elected directly by the people.
• The Federal Council represents the different states (or regions) of Austria. Its members are chosen by the state parliaments.

When these two groups meet as the Federal Assembly, it shows the unity and importance of the Austrian government.

Images for kids

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  Assembly hall of the former Imperial Council House of Representatives, venue of the Federal Assembly