Political bombshell
Extension of military service up for debate
At the beginning of 2026, Germany will reintroduce nationwide conscription and compulsory military service (conscription only in an emergency). In Austria, an extension of military service has been under discussion for years. Experts consider six months to be too short. A commission set up by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner has been looking into this issue.
The presentation of the results was originally planned for this week, but has been postponed until January 20th. There is apparently still a need for coordination within the government. According to reports, the broad-based commission is in favor of extending military service to eight months plus two months of exercises. Civilian service would then be extended from nine to twelve months. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
Erwin Hameseder, chairman of the commission and commissioner for the militia, has always spoken out in favor of an extension in the past and criticized the abolition of mandatory militia exercises in 2006. In addition to him, experts from various ministries as well as delegates from the Federal Youth Representation, the Federation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Austrian Industries and the Chamber of Commerce discussed a possible reform in the commission. However, only ten of the 23 members are entitled to vote.
Almost 60 percent voted in favor of compulsory military service in 2013
The results of the commission will be presented on 20 January, the day of compulsory military service and the anniversary of the referendum on compulsory military service. In 2013, almost 60 percent voted in favor of retaining general conscription and civilian service. 'Similar to back then, civilian service is also an important argument for an extension today. The emergency services are desperately looking for people to do civilian service.
With the votes of the FPÖ, the government would have the necessary constitutional majority. This is necessary for the extension of civilian service. "It won't fail because of us", FPÖ military spokesman Volker Reifenberger makes an offer to the government. The Freedom Party had proposed a similar model in the government negotiations with the ÖVP.
So far, only the FPÖ is clearly in favor of an extension. The ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos are publicly holding back. According to reports, there is still no unified government line and in some camps no final party position.
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Liebe Leserin, lieber Leser,
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Mit freundlichen Grüßen
das krone.at-Team
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