Government struggles to reach compromise on military service: "6 plus 3" as a possible model

Background to the reform debate

The background to the debate is the question of how Austria should respond to changing security policy conditions. The Military Service Commission had recommended the "Austria plus" model in its final report presented at the beginning of the year: eight months of basic military service followed by two months of mandatory militia exercises. This model is considered relatively quickly implementable by experts, but also more expensive than the "8 plus 2" model.

The ÖVP originally pushed for an extension of military service and preferred the "Austria plus" model. The SPÖ was more cautious and brought a "6 plus 2" model into play as a compromise: six months of basic military service and two months of mandatory militia exercises. For civilian service, the SPÖ favored a "9 plus 2" model. Two weeks ago, Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker then put the compromise "6 plus 3" on the table.

The positions of the parties

"In the end, they settled on '6+3' in the middle," it is said from negotiation circles. The six-month basic military service is to be retained and supplemented by three months or 100 days of mandatory militia exercises. An alternative graduated model provides for a two-month, blocked troop exercise within 18 months after basic military service, after which militia exercises totaling 40 days are planned.

The NEOS represent the biggest brake in the negotiations. They continue to push for a purely voluntary solution and are apparently also blocking other parts of the government program. According to reports, the NEOS had not given the green light until the end for the planned social media ban for under-14s, which has already been negotiated for a week. This is to ban social networks with addictive mechanisms – including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube – for under-14s.

The NEOS as the brake

The negotiating positions of the three parties differ considerably. While the ÖVP is banking on the longest possible service period, the SPÖ wants to strengthen civilian service. The NEOS fundamentally reject compulsory models. This constellation makes an agreement particularly difficult, especially as the coalition pact is under time pressure.

"Whoever moves first fears losing," one negotiator analyzes the stalemate. The NEOS's fear that an extension of military service could increase the attractiveness of civilian service and thereby upgrade it is based merely on a "gut feeling," according to NEOS circles.

Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker had recently made clear in an interview with STANDARD: "If we don't agree, a referendum will be needed." This threat scenario was apparently intended to increase the pressure to negotiate. ÖVP government coordinator Alexander Pröll also emphasized last week in STANDARD: "We will have to deliver a result next week."

Upper Austria's Governor Thomas Stelzer criticized the debate in an interview with STANDARD as "no shining example". The government must agree "promptly" and cannot postpone the issue until "Saint Never-Day". The tough negotiations had increasingly caused annoyance among the coalition partners in recent days.

Models at a glance

If an agreement on civilian service fails, the coalition could initially only pass the military service – making a start of the overall model at the beginning of 2027 questionable. Originally, an entry into force was targeted for January 2027. The third option, which keeps coming up in the discussions, is based on the "Swiss model": four months of basic military service, followed by mandatory 140 days of militia exercises.

The possible models at a glance: The expert commission recommended "Austria plus" with eight months of basic military service and two months of militia exercises. The ÖVP preferred this model. The SPÖ brought "6 plus 2" for military service and "9 plus 2" for civilian service into play. The NEOS relied on a purely voluntary solution. The compromise "6 plus 3" or "6 plus 100" combines elements of both sides.

As a possible compromise between ÖVP and SPÖ, a combination of both drafts is on the table: "6 plus 3" (or 100 days) for military service and "9 plus 2" for civilian service. SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler had advocated strongly for this model, while the ÖVP originally wanted to go further.

Timeline under pressure

The Military Service Commission had examined various options in its report. The "graduated model" provides for six months of basic military service, followed by 100 days of militia exercises and troop training. This model is considered relatively quickly implementable, but more expensive than the recommended "8 plus 2" model.

For civilian service, a "9 plus 2" model is being discussed as a possible solution: nine months of regular service as before, supplemented by two months of mandatory exercises. The SPÖ can imagine this model; the NEOS have so far rejected compulsory elements for civilian service. "That's why there is little movement," according to negotiation circles.

The negotiations took place under considerable time pressure. Meetings had to be postponed several times because no agreement could be reached. In the end, the coalition at least presented a result on military service – but the open question on civilian service remained. "Half a solution" was the assessment in the media.

The impact on the timeline is significant: if the agreement on civilian service continues to be delayed, the start of the overall model at the beginning of 2027 is more than questionable. The government thus faces the challenge of either renegotiating quickly or adjusting the original timeline.

Overall, the debate shows the fault lines within the three-party coalition. While the ÖVP and SPÖ found a compromise on the extension of military service, the NEOS are blocking both civilian service and the social media ban. The coming weeks will show whether the coalition is able to bridge its differences.