1971 Austrian legislative election

{{Short description|none}}

{{Infobox election

| country = Austria

| flag_year = state

| type = parliamentary

| previous_election = 1970 Austrian legislative election

| previous_year = 1970

| next_election = 1975 Austrian legislative election

| next_year = 1975

| seats_for_election = All 183 seats in the National Council

| majority_seats = 92

| election_date = 10 October 1971

| image_size = 130x130px

| image1 = Kreisky-Koechler-Vienna-1980 Crop.jpg

| leader1 = Bruno Kreisky

| party1 = Social Democratic Party of Austria

| last_election1 = 48.42%, 81 seats

| seats1 = 93

| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 12

| popular_vote1 = 2,280,168

| percentage1 = 50.04%

| swing1 = {{increase}}1.62 pp

| image2 =

| leader2 = {{ill|Hermann Withalm|de}}

| party2 = Austrian People's Party

| last_election2 = 44.69%, 78 seats

| seats2 = 80

| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 2

| popular_vote2 = 1,964,713

| percentage2 = 43.11%

| swing2 = {{decrease}}1.58 pp

| image3 = 3x4.svg

| leader3 = Friedrich Peter

| party3 = Freedom Party of Austria

| last_election3 = 5.52%, 6 seats

| seats3 = 10

| seat_change3 = {{increase}} 4

| popular_vote3 = 286,473

| percentage3 = 6.29%

| swing3 = {{increase}}0.77 pp

| map_image = {{Switcher|300px|Vote share by state|300px|Seats won by state|default = 2}}

| title = Chancellor

| before_election = Bruno Kreisky

| before_party = Social Democratic Party of Austria

| after_election = Bruno Kreisky

| after_party = Social Democratic Party of Austria

}}{{Politics of Austria}}

Early parliamentary elections were held in Austria on 10 October 1971,Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p196 {{ISBN|978-3-8329-5609-7}} following electoral reforms intended to benefit smaller parties. The number of seats in the National Council was increased from 165 to 183, and the proportionality of the seat distribution was increased as well.Nohlen & Stöver, p188M

The Socialist Party, which had governed as a minority government since 1970, won 93 of the 183 seats, a majority of two. Voter turnout was 92%.Nohlen & Stöver, p215 It was the first time that the Socialists had won an absolute majority at an election. They also won just over half of the vote, something no Austrian party had previously achieved in a free election. Socialist leader Bruno Kreisky remained Chancellor.