Election Poll Austria: Results from OGM on September 18, 2024

According to OGM data, 5 parties are projected to surpass the electoral threshold and enter the Austrian parliament: FPÖ with 53 representatives, ÖVP with 50 representatives, SPÖ with 42 representatives, GRÜNE with 20 representatives and NEOS with 18 representatives.

Elections to the Austrian National Council operate under a system of proportional representation. The country is divided into nine state constituencies and 39 regional constituencies. The 183 seats are allocated through a three-stage process: initially at the regional constituency level, then at the state level, and finally at the federal level via national party lists. A unique feature in Austria is the active right to vote from the age of 16. Furthermore, voters can influence the ranking of candidates on party lists through preferential votes, adding an element of personalized choice to the system.

For a party to enter the National Council, it must secure at least 4% of the valid votes nationwide. Alternatively, winning a 'basic mandate' (a direct seat) in one of the regional constituencies is sufficient to participate in the further distribution of seats. This threshold aims to prevent excessive parliamentary fragmentation and ensure that only parties with significant societal relevance are represented. Votes cast for parties that fail to clear these hurdles are not considered in the allocation of mandates.

In Austria, the system of proportional representation typically means no single party secures an absolute majority of seats, making coalitions the norm. Following an election, the Federal President usually tasks the leader of the party with the most votes to seek coalition partners. Once a stable majority emerges in the National Council, a coalition agreement is negotiated. While the federal government is not actively elected by parliament, it depends on its confidence, as the National Council can withdraw confidence from the government or individual members at any time.