1970 Austrian legislative election

1970 Austrian legislative election
165 seats in the National Council of Austria; 83 seats needed for a majority
	Seats won by constituency and nationwide. Constituencies are shaded according to the most voted-for party.
Chancellor before election; Josef Klaus; ÖVP	Elected Chancellor ; Bruno Kreisky; SPÖ

Parliamentary elections were held in Austria on 1 March 1970.^[1] The Socialist Party (SPÖ) emerged as the largest party in the National Council, winning 81 of the 165 seats, just three seats short of an absolute majority and the first time it had become the largest party during the Second Republic. Voter turnout was 92%.^[2]

After lengthy coalition negotiations with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the SPÖ formed a minority government with the support of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). It is speculated that SPÖ leader Bruno Kreisky had this intention from the start and only negotiated with the ÖVP for appearances. It was the first Socialist-led government since 1920, and the first purely left-wing government in Austrian history. The SPÖ would lead the government for the next 29 years. Kreisky became Chancellor and would remain so until 1983. The Kreisky I government took office on 21 April 1970. Josef Klaus stepped down as ÖVP chairman in 1970 and his deputy Hermann Withalm [de] succeeded him.

Early elections under the new system were held the following year, with the number of seats increased to 183. They saw the SPÖ win an outright majority.

Results edit



Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Socialist Party of Austria	2,221,981	48.42	81	+7
	Austrian People's Party	2,051,012	44.69	78	–7
	Freedom Party of Austria	253,425	5.52	6	0
	Communist Party of Austria	44,750	0.98	0	0
	Democratic Progressive Party	14,925	0.33	0	0
	National Democratic Party	2,631	0.06	0	New
	Adolf Glantschnig – For Humanity, Law and Freedom in Austria	237	0.01	0	New
Total		4,588,961	100.00	165	0

Valid votes		4,588,961	99.10
Invalid/blank votes		41,890	0.90
Total votes		4,630,851	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		5,045,841	91.78
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References edit

^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p196 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
^ Nohlen & Stöver, p215

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[1] Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p196 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7

[2] Nohlen & Stöver, p215

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