Petra Bayr

Petra Bayr (born 28 April 1968), also known as Penny Bayr, is an Austrian politician of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) who has been serving as a member of the National Council since 2022, representing the Vienna South district.

Earlier in her career, Bayr was a member of the Municipal Council and Landtag of Vienna from November 1996 to December 2002.

Early life Bayr was born on 28 April 1968 in Vienna.

Early career Bayr worked as a freelancer at ORF, Ö3, Radio Wien and various youth magazines from 1984 to 1985. Within the Assembly, she has chaired the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights since 2024. She led the Assembly's observer mission to the February 2025 Kosovan parliamentary election.

Since 2026, Bayr has been serving as the Assembly's president, making her the third Austrian national holding that office since 1949, after Peter Schieder (2002-2005) and Karl Czernetz (1975-1978).

Other activities International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Member of the Strategy, Investment and Policy Committee (since 2020)

Recognition Bayr received the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold honour in 2007.