ÖVP caucus chief Gödl sees room for compromise on military service reform

Party Positions

The SPÖ advocates six months of basic military service, supplemented by two months of militia exercises. The NEOS, on the other hand, prefer a purely voluntary model, further complicating the negotiation positions. The ÖVP itself is pushing ahead with implementing the "Österreich plus" variant.

The discussion on military service reform is currently taking place at the level of the caucus leaders. Gödl expressed confidence that, despite the different starting positions, an agreement can be reached. He also pointed out that civilian service would also need to be extended as part of the reform in order to create a balanced overall architecture.

European Dimension

Parallel to the military service debate, Gödl commented on migration and asylum policy. He described Austria as an "extremes Zielland in der Migration der letzten zehn Jahre" and spoke out in favor of a clear European orientation of asylum policy: "Es brauche eine klare europäische und strenge Ausrichtung der Asylpolitik".

Regarding the European asylum pact, the caucus leader expressed optimism. The standards for return centers and outsourced asylum procedures would be funded by Europe and therefore also set at the European level, Gödl said. "Das wird ja auch finanziert von Europa aus, das heißt, wir legen auch die Standards fest." Human rights would have to be "absolut eingehalten", he emphasized, referring to existing control mechanisms: "Menschenrechte seien absolut einzuhalten. Hier gebe es viele Kontrollmechanismen."

At the same time, Gödl announced that Austria will not take in any additional persons under the EU distribution mechanism. He sees the current pressure point less in asylum numbers and more in integration. At Vienna-Schwechat Airport, only a few people are currently being taken into detention pending deportation, he said.

Doctors Without Borders had previously criticized that people were being held outside the public eye. Gödl did not comment on this in detail, but referred to the existing control mechanisms.

In this context, the ÖVP is also planning a waiting period for social benefits, integration obligations, and sanctions. It still needs to be clarified with the Public Employment Service (AMS) how job placement can be better organized, Gödl said.

For the current legislative period, Gödl sees himself set at the top of the parliamentary caucus: "Ich bin gewählt für die ganze Legislaturperiode und werde bis zum Ende den Klubobmann stellen."

A future coalition with the FPÖ under its current leadership would be difficult, the caucus leader said. There are overlaps in the area of security, but also clear differences between the ÖVP and the FPÖ.

His predecessor as caucus leader, August Wöginger, is facing an allegation of abuse of office. Gödl did not comment on this ongoing proceeding.

Overall, military service reform remains one of the central domestic policy challenges of the coming weeks. The outcome of the negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS is likely to depend significantly on whether the party leaders ultimately intervene themselves.

Background

The ongoing reform debate is closely linked to the question of how Austria wants to respond to changed security policy conditions. The Military Service Commission therefore developed models that provide for both a longer basic military service period and additional militia exercises.

Party Positions

While the ÖVP supports the "Österreich plus" model with eight months of basic military service and two months of militia exercises, the SPÖ advocates six months plus two months of militia. The NEOS rely on a voluntary model, making it difficult to find a common denominator.

European Dimension

In the asylum area, Gödl pointed to the growing European interconnection. Return centers in third countries and asylum procedures outside Europe would be funded and monitored according to European standards. This is also shifting the national debate on responsibilities and oversight.