Parliamentary elections were held in Austria on 1 March 1970.

[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.

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.