FPÖ withdraws reform support Civilian service at issue

Oct 6

AUF1 reports that, after a Tuesday negotiating round with the government, the FPÖ withdrew support for Austria's planned military-service extension. It says the reform needs a two-thirds majority and therefore FPÖ or Green support, while the Greens remain hesitant. The FPÖ conditions support on extending civilian service at the same time. Pollak attributes to Volker Reifenberger the warning that extending military service alone could lead more young men to choose civilian service, and leaves the planned turn-of-year implementation unresolved.

After an unsuccessful October 6 negotiating round with Austria's government, the FPÖ withdraws support for the proposed military-service extension unless civilian service is extended simultaneously. AUF1 reports the need for a two-thirds majority and FPÖ or Green support, the Greens' hesitation, and Reifenberger's warning of greater civilian-service uptake if only military service grows. Turn-of-year implementation remains uncertain; the proposal is not reported enacted.