Half of Austrians Are Not Opposed to Extending Military Service
In Austria, support for compulsory military service has risen. In a survey by the Gallup Institute, 70 percent of respondents support its retention. In April 2023, it was 65 percent. More than half (51 percent) are in favor of extending basic military service from the current six months. Only 43 percent consider an extension of civilian service to be sensible. Currently, military service for women does not have majority support.
Survey: Support for Military Service Increased
Regarding compulsory military service, there is a difference according to age. While 79 percent of those over 50 advocate for the retention of military service, only 59 percent of those under 30 do. Thirty-six percent of young people can imagine an extension of basic military service, and even fewer (32 percent) support an extension of civilian service. For the Gallup sentiment barometer, an in-house study by the institute, 1,000 people representative of the (web-active) Austrian population aged 16 and over were surveyed. The survey period was between April 1 and 8.
Military Service for Women Does Not Have Majority Support
However, military service for women does not have majority support. Currently, only 34 percent support it, compared to 31 percent in 2023. Nevertheless, opposition has decreased from 62 to 54 percent during this period, while the proportion of undecided has increased from 7 to 12 percent.
When viewed by gender, women are significantly more reserved than men: only one-fifth of female respondents are open to compulsory military service for women, compared to almost half (49 percent) of men. Voters of the Greens (52 percent) and NEOS (48 percent) support this idea more frequently than average.
According to Andrea Fronaschütz, head of the Austrian Gallup Institute, defense issues have "returned more strongly to public awareness." There are significant differences between generations. Older population groups, who remember threats like the Cold War or the Yugoslav Wars, have a stronger connection to military service than younger ones.
Tanner Sees Military Service as "Cornerstone"
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) sees the survey results as confirmation "that the effort to revive comprehensive national defense is worthwhile." It is also important to clarify "how significant military national defense and a functioning national armed force are for Austria," not least because of global geopolitical developments. "Military service is the cornerstone of our federal army and thus the foundation of our collective security," said Tanner.
(APA/Red)
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