Agreement Within Reach

“Six plus three” military service model gaining traction

In the future, conscripts will have to serve longer in active military duty.(Bild: P. Huber)

The Gordian knot in military service reform could soon be untied. The government is aiming to reach an agreement by the Summer Cabinet meeting on July 27. The SPÖ model is likely to be the frontrunner, as Chancellor Christian Stocker hinted in an interview with the “Krone.”

The debate over military service reform has been anything but smooth. Within the NEOS, some members—led by parliamentary group leader Yannick Shetty—opposed the reform from the start. Stocker attempted to put pressure on his coalition partners by proposing a referendum, but had to back down because the SPÖ and NEOS rejected the idea.

SPÖ’s Compromise Proposal Could Be the Solution
Most recently, the SPÖ proposed a compromise to get the deadlocked debate moving again. Under this proposal, military and civilian service would remain the same length and each would be extended by two months of training. Stocker is now building on this proposal.

Chancellor Stocker is pushing for an agreement.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

“We’re discussing the various models. Whether it’s 6 plus 3 or 6 plus 100 is ultimately a matter of semantics. Because three months is 92 days. The SPÖ model isn’t that far off from the commission’s models.”

The goal is reform with reserve training
The ÖVP remains in favor of the “Austrian Model” proposed by the commission—eight plus two. That is also “under discussion.” The goal is a reform with mandatory reserve training. “If there is no parliamentary agreement, a referendum is not off the table for me either,” said Stocker.

Die Ausgangslage

Zähe Debatte

Die von Ministerin Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) eingesetzte Wehrdienstkommission präsentierte am Tag der Wehrpflicht, am 20. Jänner, drei konkrete Modelle und sprach sich selbst für die „Österreich plus“-Variante aus. Diese sieht acht Monate Grundwehrdienst und zwei Monate an verpflichtenden Milizübungen anstatt des derzeit sechsmonatigen Präsenzdienstes vor. 

Beim „Stufenmodell“ bleibt der Grundwehrdienst bei sechs Monaten. Innerhalb von 18 Monaten folgen zweimonatige Milizübungen und später weitere Milizübungen mit einer Dauer von insgesamt 40 Tagen.

Die dritte Variante ist an das „Schweizer Modell“ angelehnt und sieht einen viermonatigen Grundwehrdienst vor. Danach erfolgen verpflichtend 140 Tage Milizübungen. Bei allen drei Modellen würde der Zivildienst von neun auf zwölf Monate ausgeweitet werden.

The goal is to launch the reform at the beginning of 2027. However, the first recruits who will be required to complete extended service or mandatory reserve training will not enlist as early as January. To protect legitimate expectations, only those young men who will complete their service after the reform is enacted will be included in the new model. Behind the scenes, however, preparations for the transition have long been underway in the Austrian Armed Forces.

A More Low-Key Setting for the Summer Cabinet Meeting
Traditionally, the government interrupts its summer recess with a summer cabinet meeting. This year, it will take place on July 27 in Salzburg. Bad Aussee had originally been considered, but the government has decided to keep things low-key. There will be no overnight stay, just a luncheon hosted by State Governor Karoline Edtstadler. Shuttle buses will be available for staff and journalists.

In terms of agenda, the coalition plans to address the reform of social assistance in addition to the military service reform, which has been under discussion for over half a year.