Neutrality for Many Part of Austrian Identity

Political scientist Martin Senn explains the high approval of neutrality as follows: "It is an essential part of the narrative of what Austria is after 1945 and 1955, and who we want to be," as Senn explained to the parliamentary correspondence: "And it is also part of the narrative of who we do not want to be." At the University of Innsbruck, Senn leads the "Austrian Foreign Policy Panel Project (AFP3)" in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The long-term study has been examining Austrians' opinions on foreign and security policy, including neutrality, since 2023.

Stable Commitment to Neutrality Less Strong Among Young People

However, the data shows that younger respondents see neutrality and identity as less strongly linked than older ones. While 88 percent of those over 60 agree with neutrality as a characteristic of identity, only 65 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds do. According to Senn, this is because neutrality has been little present in the public sphere over the past 20 years. However, this has changed again since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. Before the "turning point," war was perceived as a thing of the past, Senn explained: "When war belongs to the past, neutrality is also of little relevance because it always relates to military conflicts." The young generation has therefore had little contact with neutrality during the formative years of their political socialization.

Nevertheless, Solid Majority for Maintaining Neutrality

Nevertheless, there is still a solid majority for maintaining neutrality in its current form. 59 percent of respondents are in favor of it. 36 percent would like more comprehensive neutrality, 13 percent are for joining NATO, and only nine percent would want to abandon neutrality without joining NATO. Overall, the research team has observed consistency over the years in questions about neutrality. "The commitment to neutrality is stable," said Senn.

Neutrality as a "Political Myth"

The results of his research show Senn how powerful neutrality is as a "political myth." A political myth is a reference point for communities, a narrative that provides support. It offers orientation and is especially important when the environment is undergoing significant change. He advocates recognizing that neutrality as a narrative is an important anchor point for society. From this starting point, one should proceed cautiously and consider with the population whether and how neutrality can be made fit for the 21st century. One should not discuss "Neutrality - yes or no" or "Remain neutral or join NATO," according to Senn. The current anniversary year offers good starting points for this.

Half of Austrians Understand Neutrality Not Only Militarily

What Austria's neutrality means from the perspective of the population has meanwhile been surveyed by opinion researcher Peter Hajek in a poll for the TV channel ATV and the streaming platform Joyn (around 800 eligible voters surveyed by phone and online, October 20 to 23). Exactly half believe that Austria's neutrality obliges it to stay out of conflicts politically and militarily. For 46 percent, neutrality means that Austria should remain militarily neutral but may take a political stance.

However, there are significant differences depending on party preference: Among FPÖ voters, 79 percent understand neutrality as a mandate to stay out of conflicts politically and militarily. For the majority of voters of other parties, Austria is militarily neutral but may and should take a political stance (NEOS: 79 percent, Greens: 69, ÖVP: 63, SPÖ: 59). "The interpretation of Austrian neutrality divides the population - and the dividing line once again runs between FPÖ voters and supporters of other parties," commented Hajek on the result in a press release.

(APA/Red)

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