Military Service Reform Talks Continue in Salzburg

Governing parties aim to present a military service reform agreement and a youth social media ban following the Salzburg ministerial council.

Negotiations regarding military service reform continued on July 26, 2026, without a result. An agreement is scheduled for presentation on July 27, 2026, following the ministerial council at the Wals-Siezenheim barracks. The presentation will include a draft for a social media ban for young people. The duration of civilian service remains a point of dispute. The ÖVP and the military commission advocated for an "8 plus 2" model, while the SPÖ proposed a "6 plus 2" military and "9 plus 2" civilian service model. The ÖVP also proposed extending civilian service to twelve months, and NEOS suggested a voluntary model. A potential compromise involves a "6 plus 3" military model and a "9 plus 2" civilian service model. Experts note the "6 plus 3" model, which Stocker proposed two weeks ago, is more expensive than the "8 plus 2" alternative.