WITH . – 03/25/2022 14:06 (act. 03/25/2022 14:06)
Armed Forces budget: most Austrians are in favor of an increase. © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU (symbol photo)
How should the federal army’s budget develop in the future? Most Austrians are in favor of a raise.
Faced with the war in Ukraine, most people in the EU are in favor of increasing defense spending. In a Gallup poll, 52 percent are in favor of it. EU citizens. In Austria, 55 percent. advocates more money for the federal army. Only 10 percent. would be in favor of cuts. Gallup International vice president Michael Nitsche sees a clear “shift in public opinion,” the APA said Friday.
Austrians are mainly positive in the military budget
In other EU countries, such as Sweden or Poland, the desire to increase defense spending is even clearer, amounting to 78% and 69%. Only 45 percent. Europeans in the EU rate the equipment and operational capabilities of their country’s army as good or very good. Austrians are also aware of their military weaknesses. 76 percent believes that the equipment and operational capabilities of the federal army are weak or inferior. Nevertheless, most of the 54 percent. Austrians are opposed to their own EU army.
93 percent considers Austria dependent on Russia
The main concerns of EU citizens regarding the war in Ukraine are inflation, energy supplies, the risk of world war and the possible use of nuclear weapons, according to a survey which was carried out on 7-23 March 23,000 people out of 24 Interviews with EU countries. “Russia’s energy dependence is sounding the alarm across Europe, loudest in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia,” said Gallup. 93 percent of Austrians view Austria as dependent on Russia. Two-thirds of them believe it is very important to rely on renewable energy sources, said Nitsche. The replacement of Russian energy supplies with renewable energy enjoys undivided approval throughout the EU.
35 percent Austrians against Ukraine’s accession to the EU
On average, in the entire EU, every second citizen supports Ukraine’s membership in the EU. Austria is among the countries most skeptical about Ukraine’s accession to the EU. While in Poland, the Baltic states and the Iberian Peninsula, approval for Ukraine’s accession to the EU is usually over 70 percent, in Austria it is only 33 percent. 35 percent Austrians strongly reject the admission of Ukraine to the European community. The citizens of Slovakia, Hungary and especially Greece are much more skeptical about this.
According to a Gallup poll, Europeans are largely unanimous on the willingness to accept refugees: 50 percent are in favor of an unlimited number of refugees, 44 percent of a limited number of Ukrainian refugees in their country.
© APA
Position on Russian sanctions
The attitude to sanctions was also examined: 42 percent. of EU citizens believe that the sanctions imposed on Russia are right: 43 percent. are in favor of tightening them, 15 percent believes that the current sanctions go too far. So for the tightening of sanctions it is strongest in Lithuania, Poland and Finland. On the other hand, more than a third of Bulgarians, Slovaks and Greeks consider the sanctions too harsh.
On average, in the EU, the vast majority of respondents, 78%, support a more active role for the EU in the world. This attitude is strongest in Poland, Lithuania, Spain and Portugal (90% or more approval), and the weakest in Austria and Denmark. In Germany, 64 percent. are in favor of a more active role for the EU, and 36% is against.
recognition for the EU
Respect for the EU as an integrating force on the continent is evidently high: almost two-thirds of those polled perceive a high degree of coherence between EU countries. This attitude is particularly pronounced in Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Denmark and Ireland, and least weakly in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Greece and Bulgaria. 63 percent now considers the EU to be the most important factor for stability in the world order. Only 38 percent give the US that rating. Only 12 percent. he sees China in this role. Russia is seen as a destabilizing force.
The EU wants a higher budget for the army
The Federal Army Union called on Friday in the federal army financial resource debate to significantly increase the military’s budget. “The past few weeks have clearly shown the Austrians that war and violence will unfortunately never disappear as a means of conflict resolution,” said Walter Hirsch (FCG), chairman of the federal army union GÖD, on the broadcast.
“Internationally, defense spending ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 percent. GDP is normal and ensures that, on the one hand, the protection of soldiers is ensured by modern personal protective equipment, and on the other hand, the ability to defend itself must be given. “Unfortunately, the budget of 0.6% of GDP was too small for many years.
“Bulletproof combat vests, protective goggles and the most modern combat helmets are standard equipment as well as reinforced vehicles, modern drones, anti-aircraft and anti-tank defense systems. How guaranteeing sovereignty in the air – in other countries it goes without saying – has been a political issue in Austria for too long a debate, “Hirsch calls for adequate infrastructure and equipment. The union trusts in the declarations of intent by all political parties that “now and in the future, the federal army’s budget will be financed normally,” said Hirsch.
Armed Forces Budget: Tailwind to Tanner’s Burst
The Austrian Defense Platform, the umbrella organization of Austrian military associations, called on Friday all parliamentarians to put the country’s prosperity at the center of their considerations and to overcome political and ideological obstacles. “Now it’s time to get down to business. Therefore, we clearly support Minister Tanner’s proposal to increase the federal army’s budget to 1.5%. GDP and donate EUR 10 billion to the investment fund, “explains Erich Cibulka, chairman of the umbrella organization. .
“Sufficient funding and the provision of strong personnel through compulsory exercises are the basis of a modern and efficient federal army. Only in this way can we fulfill our mission of protecting the country and the population and reliably defend our armed neutrality, “said Brigadier Cibulka.