Concern About Security: Support for Conscription Rises

In light of the changed global security situation, support for conscription in Austria is experiencing a surge. 73 percent are in favor, according to a representative survey by the Ministry of Defense on security policy issues. In the 2013 referendum, 60 percent were in favor. A narrow majority (51 percent) is currently in favor of extending military service, as Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) explained.

Population wants strong armed forces

Only ten percent of respondents completely reject conscription, 14 percent are somewhat against it, as Wolfgang Prinz, head of the Strategic Market and Opinion Research Department at the Ministry of Defense, explained. Support for conscription has steadily increased in recent years, Prinz also referred to the Gallup mood barometer, where the value was 65 percent in 2023, and 70 percent in 2025.

Tanner called the result "interesting" in light of the current discussion. The 73 percent is once again a "clear confirmation" of the path "Austria has been on since 2013." Back then, in the referendum, the population made "a very wise decision." By the end of the year, a conscription commission appointed by Tanner is to develop proposals for the further development of military and civilian service as well as the militia, including the question of whether military service should be extended.

Willingness to serve lower than support

However, the willingness to serve is less pronounced. A little more than a third of respondents are willing to defend Austria with arms in the event of an attack. However, if the focus is on the able-bodied male population, the willingness is at least 43 percent. That more than half are not willing to take up arms in defense is not "alarming," according to Tanner. But it is "beyond question that we have a lot to do in terms of willingness to serve," Tanner referred to efforts in terms of mental and comprehensive national defense.

Support for neutrality remains consistently high. 75 percent agree with it, 58 percent of them "completely," 17 percent "somewhat." However, when looking more closely at the results, a heterogeneous picture emerges regarding the definition of neutrality. While 19 percent understand it as merely military non-intervention, 17 percent define it as "general non-intervention."

Concern About Inflation, Immigration, and Security Situation

In addition to the increased fear of wars, Austrians are particularly concerned about inflation and immigration. Other security-related issues, such as the spread of misinformation over the internet, tensions between the West and Russia, and conflicts surrounding the EU, also give Austrians cause for concern.

Against this backdrop, it is quite understandable that a stable majority (56 percent) supports the future increase in spending on national defense. Tanner sees this as confirmation: "The results should be a clear mandate for us that Austria should remain neutral and defensible." They also show that the population believes that investment should be made in this protection, Tanner said: "The population wants an efficient armed forces that is prepared for the challenges of the time."

For the annual survey, 1,500 people were interviewed from August 5 to October 3. The margin of error is plus/minus 2.5 percent. A mixed-method approach was used in the survey, with 42 percent being personal interviews and 59 percent online surveys, explained Prinz.

NEOS See Mandate for Action

NEOS security spokesperson Douglas Hoyos sees the survey results as a mandate for "decisive action." Austria is "neither an oasis nor an island of the blessed." Only a "united, strong Europe" can ensure lasting peace and stability. As an example of successful European cooperation, Hoyos referred to Austria's participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).

(APA/Red)

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