A non-binding referendum on ending conscription was held in Austria on 20 January 2013. The proposal was supported by the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party and opposed by the Austrian People's Party and the FPÖ.^[1] Though constitutionally not obliged to act on, both parties in government stated that they would honour the results.^[2]

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Quick Facts Results, Choice ...

2013 Austrian conscription referendum

20 January 2013
a) Are you in favor of the introduction of a professional army and a paid voluntary social year or b) Are you in favor of maintaining general conscription and community service?
Results
Choice Votes  % Professional army 1,315,278 40.32% General conscription 1,947,116 59.68% Valid votes 3,262,394 97.54% Invalid or blank votes 82,226 2.46% Total votes 3,344,620 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 6,378,628 52.43%

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The motion to end conscription and introduce a professional army was rejected.

Austria is one of the few members of the European Union to still retain compulsory military service, with others in 2013 including Cyprus, Estonia, Finland and Greece. Service in the Austrian Armed Forces is mandatory for all Austrian males older than 18, with around 22,000 males annually being drafted into six months of service in 2012.^[3] Conscription in Austria however allows conscripts to opt-out of military service and instead choose civic and community service as an alternative.^[4] Conscripts in the armed forces support efforts during natural disasters.^[5]