12. 07. 10. - 15:00

Greens want conscription referendum

Greens MP Peter Pilz has called on the government to ditch Austria’s compulsory military service.

Pilz said today (Mon) the law – enforcing young Austrian men to serve six months in the army or for healthcare institutions for nine months after graduation – was "inappropriate and extremely expensive".

The MP – who acts as the opposition party’s interior safety spokesman – said a smaller, professional army would make more sense and save millions in taxes per year.

Pilz said his party was trying to get a referendum on the issue underway.

He claimed: "The international political situation has changed strongly, and so have the army’s responsibilities. Austria is one of very few European countries which still have an obligatory army duty."

Sweden axed conscription recently, while the German government is currently considering getting rid of mandatory military service in some years time.

Only seven of the European Union's (EU) 27 member states have a conscription system these days.

Austria is a neutral country, but has been participating in various international peace-keeping missions.

The Green MP’s suggestions follow President Heinz Fischer’s backing of the current military system.

The former SPÖ parliamentary president said in a speech – marking his inauguration as Austrian president for a second six-year term last week – that he appreciated and supported the compulsory military service.

Fischer highlighted Austria’s peace-keeping activities, adding that the army and conscription were part of the country’s constitution.

SPÖ Defence Minister Norbert Darabos said he agreed with Fischer’s views. Darabos claimed the six-month military service had proved to be a "full success". The minister described the Austrian regulations as "excellent".

Darabos has been criticised by opposition leaders for opting for serving in healthcare instead of in the army as a young man himself. Some politicians and army generals have accused the minister of having no idea what he was talking about due to the fact he chose the "Zivildienst" alternative.

The image of the Austrian army has suffered badly recently following a report by the Audit Office (RH) highlighting the bad state of some barracks. RH officials warned the health of soldiers at some venues were put at risk due to the condition their lodgings were in.

Reports also have it that most of the army’s costly 15 Eurofighter jets were not airworthy most of the time due to various technical problems.