National Council
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National Council
The name for the larger of the two chambers of parliament in Austria and Switzerland. It is the representative body directly elected by the people.
Der Nationalrat in Wien hat heute über das neue Gesetz abgestimmt.
The National Council in Vienna voted on the new law today.
The word is made up of 'National-' (belonging to the nation) and 'Rat' (council, assembly of advisers, committee). So it is literally the 'council of the nation'.
Die Mitglieder des Nationalrates werden alle fünf Jahre gewählt.
The members of the National Council are elected every five years.
This term is specific to politics in Austria and Switzerland. There, it refers to the large chamber of parliament directly elected by the people.
In der Schweiz hat der Nationalrat 200 Mitglieder.
In Switzerland, the National Council has 200 members.
'Der Nationalrat' (the National Council) usually refers to the entire parliamentary chamber. But if someone says 'ein Nationalrat' (a National Council member), it means a male member of this parliament. The female form is 'eine Nationalrätin' (a female National Council member).
Der Nationalrat debattiert über die Steuerreform.
The National Council is debating the tax reform.
parliament
'das Parlament' and 'der Nationalrat' both refer to an elected political assembly. 'Parlament' is the general term. It can be used for many countries and political levels. 'Nationalrat', on the other hand, is a specific name: in Austria and Switzerland, it refers to the larger chamber of parliament. The words can be confused because the National Council is part or a form of a parliament. If you are speaking generally about a legislative body, 'Parlament' is correct. If you are talking specifically about Austria or Switzerland, 'Nationalrat' may be more precise.
In Österreich wählt die Bevölkerung den Nationalrat alle paar Jahre.
In Austria, the population elects the National Council every few years.
Im Parlament diskutieren die Abgeordneten über den neuen Haushalt.
In parliament, the representatives are discussing the new budget.