This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21110431
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Austrians vote in referendum on ending conscription | Austrians vote in referendum on ending conscription |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Austrians are voting in a referendum to decide whether the country retains compulsory military service or switches to a professional army. | Austrians are voting in a referendum to decide whether the country retains compulsory military service or switches to a professional army. |
| The issue has divided politicians in the coalition government, and voters. | The issue has divided politicians in the coalition government, and voters. |
| Supporters of change say a professional army would be more effective, but critics say the move would put Austria's cherished neutrality at risk. | Supporters of change say a professional army would be more effective, but critics say the move would put Austria's cherished neutrality at risk. |
| Austrian men must serve six months in the army or nine months in civilian service when they reach 18. | Austrian men must serve six months in the army or nine months in civilian service when they reach 18. |
| Opinion polls have predicted a win for those wanting to keep conscription, but with turnout among the 6.3 million electorate expected to be low the result is by no means certain, correspondents say. | Opinion polls have predicted a win for those wanting to keep conscription, but with turnout among the 6.3 million electorate expected to be low the result is by no means certain, correspondents say. |
| Increasingly few European countries demand compulsory military service. France abandoned conscription in 1996, and Germany in 2011. | |
| Calls for an end to conscription are growing in Austria's neighbour, Switzerland, which is also neutral. | |
| 'Best guarantee' | 'Best guarantee' |
| Currently, some 22,000 men are drafted into military service each year. | Currently, some 22,000 men are drafted into military service each year. |
| Those who do not want to serve must spend nine months working in community jobs, such as ambulance drivers and in senior citizens' homes. | Those who do not want to serve must spend nine months working in community jobs, such as ambulance drivers and in senior citizens' homes. |
| The centre-left Social Democrats say the current make-up of the armed forces does not work for the 21st Century, arguing that a professional army is needed to work more effectively with other European armies. | The centre-left Social Democrats say the current make-up of the armed forces does not work for the 21st Century, arguing that a professional army is needed to work more effectively with other European armies. |
| Defence Minister Norbert Darabos called the current force outdated in an era of "counter-terrorism, cybercrime... [and] failed states". | Defence Minister Norbert Darabos called the current force outdated in an era of "counter-terrorism, cybercrime... [and] failed states". |
| But the conservative People's Party is arguing against change. Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the current system "fits Austria like a glove and is the best guarantee for all future challenges". | But the conservative People's Party is arguing against change. Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the current system "fits Austria like a glove and is the best guarantee for all future challenges". |
| Opponents fear the move will not only prove more costly, at a time when Austria is trying to cut spending, but will also push the country towards membership of Nato and the abandonment of neutrality they have observed since 1955. | Opponents fear the move will not only prove more costly, at a time when Austria is trying to cut spending, but will also push the country towards membership of Nato and the abandonment of neutrality they have observed since 1955. |
| Army Chief of Staff Gen Edmund Entacher has also warned that changes to the current set-up would lead "irreversibly to a drop in quality, numbers and ability". | Army Chief of Staff Gen Edmund Entacher has also warned that changes to the current set-up would lead "irreversibly to a drop in quality, numbers and ability". |