Reichsrat

Reichsrat, the representation of the peoples of the kingdoms and countries of the Austrian part (Cisleithania) of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy 1867-1918. The Reichsrat consisted of the Herrenhaus (291 members appointed by the emperor (1914)) and of the Abgeordnetenhaus (516 members elected for 6 years (for the last time in 1911)). Both houses could convene at the same time. From 1907 members of the Herrenhaus could also be elected members of the Abgeordnetenhaus. Convocation, adjournment and closure always had to apply to both houses. The approval of both houses was needed for a law to come into force (except for legislation on finance and conscription). The Reichsrat was suspended several times because of national conflicts, e.g. in 1914 when, as a result, it could not present its views on the outbreak of World War I. It was not summoned again until 1917, but split up in autumn 1918 into individual national groups. In 1918 the German-speaking members formed the Provisional National Assembly of Deutsch-Österreich. The Reichsrat was at first temporarily located in a building in Währinger Straße and from 1883 in the House of Parliament on the Ringstraße boulevard in Vienna.

Literature: G. Kolmer, Parlament und Verfassung in Österreich, 8 vols., 1920ff.