Stelzer urges swift military and civil service reform

Austria’s state governors have called for swift decisions on military and civilian service reforms, with Upper Austria’s Governor Thomas Stelzer urging the federal government to move faster. The governors met in Vorarlberg, ORF reported.

The governors said parliament should approve the reforms quickly because they affect security and disaster response. Stelzer, of the Austrian People’s Party, told ORF that the states were ready to act but that progress on many issues was too slow. He described the military service reform as urgent, citing security challenges around the world.

The federal government has sent its reform package for review. It would allow civilian service to be extended voluntarily from nine to 11 months from 1 January 2027. The extension would become compulsory for all if the number of conscripts fell below a set threshold. The package also proposes mandatory training for civilian service members, a nationwide training catalogue and new rules for deployments during natural disasters and other crises. Former civilian service members could be called back for deployments for up to two years after completing their service.

Upper Austria has the country’s highest rate of meeting demand for civilian service, according to the latest figures. As of 1 October, 2,203 people were serving there. A total of 2,095 young men were assigned during the first nine months of the year, meeting 93.8 per cent of demand, compared with a national average of 88.1 per cent. The largest fields were emergency rescue services, with 690 assignments, social and disability support, with 651, and care for older people, with 377.

The governors also backed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12. Stelzer said the state must not allow itself to be walked over and that the public must be protected, while young people should be prevented from ending up permanently on the wrong path. He also called for swift measures regardless of the age limit.

The governors criticised unresolved funding issues and the absence of draft laws. Stelzer pointed to the lack of clear rules for digital communication between hospitals and nursing homes, saying faxing was prohibited but no replacement rules had been introduced. They also agreed that the aviation tax should be abolished, arguing it was important for competitiveness.