The government wants to revise the Austrian security strategy, which has become completely outdated after the war in Ukraine. The NEOS speak out against “think bans” – and also do not want to leave neutrality untouched: “Neutrality in this form, as it is brought to us here, is a thing of the past since accession to the European Union at the latest.” says Secretary- General Douglas Hoyos excited.
Anyone who believes neutrality protects Austria is “wrong,” Hoyos told reporters on Thursday. Because the word neutrality is “empty in this form”. The NEOS defense spokesman mainly targeted the ruling parties ÖVP and the Greens as “unfair politics” if they are not spoken about openly for fear of elections.
Against “fetters and bans on thinking”
“We do not want neutrality to be abolished or us to join NATO with flying flags,” the politician stressed. Nevertheless, the question of what role Austria should play in the future should be openly discussed. In any case, “chains and prohibitions of thinking” are negligent in a discussion of safety. Personally, Hoyos again argued for a European army that could be a “strong wing” in NATO.
Hoyos considers the government’s announcement to review the security strategy from 2013 to be positive in principle. However, he is skeptical about the rapid implementation of the plans. The NEOS Secretary General criticized that it took the government more than 400 days after the start of the attack by Russian forces on Ukraine to reach this conclusion. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 at the latest, Russia can no longer be a strategic partner of Austria, as is now the case in doctrine. “This is a farce.”
Calls for the involvement of Parliament and experts
Hoyos again accused the government of not involving parliament in the review of the security strategy. Although the Turquoise-Green coalition had announced an interdepartmental working group and the possibility of making changes, the opposition politician lacked the involvement of independent experts. If the federal government doesn’t do this, “we will”.
There is still broad support for permanent neutrality among the Austrian population. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) only recently confirmed this and again ruled out NATO membership. In response to Hoyos’ statements, the FPÖ also urges “stable and practiced neutrality” and a well-armed army as a solution for Austria’s security. The Liberals are still opposed to joining the North Atlantic package.
NATO membership is not taboo
However, joining NATO is no longer completely taboo in Austria. The Austrian Officers’ Society (ÖOG) thinks it is certainly worth a discussion. Like NEOS, the association calls for an “open analysis of the best possible orientation towards security and defense policy” and a discourse “without ideological constraints and populist simplifications”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
