Burgenland leaders stress unity as ÖVP calls for military service reform

Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil and Deputy Governor Anja Haider Wallner stressed social cohesion in statements for Austria’s National Day, while ÖVP state leader Christoph Zarits called for a swift military service reform, ORF reported.

Doskozil said political and social tensions in some European countries showed that cohesion could not be taken for granted. In Burgenland, he said, people looked out for one another, offered help and took responsibility. He said the state should preserve that strength.

He also highlighted Austria’s neutrality, saying it had served the country well for decades and represented independence, stability and responsibility. But he said neutrality required Austria to provide for its own security, calling for a well-staffed and equipped armed forces with adequate resources.

Haider Wallner said democracy, freedom and peace were not guaranteed. They depended on people taking responsibility, helping shape society and standing by one another, she said. She urged people to use National Day to reflect on what united them and how they wanted to shape life together.

Zarits said neutrality was no substitute for effective national defence and called military service reform unavoidable. He urged the Burgenland Greens and Freedom Party to press their federal parties to reach an agreement. The reform requires a two-thirds majority in the National Council.