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Today’s national holiday does not take place on Heldenplatz as usual, due to the Crown, but in the living rooms of the Austrians. Both the traditional exhibition of the armed forces and the visits to the Hofburg, the parliament and the ministries are only done online or are canceled. Only the laying of the wreaths and the swearing in of the recruits will take place as usual at Heldenplatz, but with no audience and a minimal cast. Apa’s live broadcast of the inauguration:
The political celebrations began with a meeting of the Council of Ministers at 9.10 a.m. at the Federal Chancellery, after which Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen laid a wreath on the castle’s outer gate at 9.30 a.m., followed by the ceremony crown placement by the Federal Government at 10 am At 10.30 a.m., twelve recruits are symbolically sworn in at Heldenplatz. As part of this, there will be speeches by Van der Bellen, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (both ÖVP).
Before the swearing-in, seven army aircraft, including three Eurofighters, will fly over Heldenplatz. The conclusion, as usual, is a parachute jump from the Jagdkommando soldiers, even without a large audience in place. The events will be broadcast live on television. At night, the traditional television speech of the head of state is broadcast.
The Council of Ministers wants to make the militia and basic military service more attractive
At its ministerial meeting on the national holiday, the government decided on several measures to make the militia and basic military service more attractive in the armed forces. For example, the military who report to the military will receive an additional 400 euros per month in the future. Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) attended his appearance, which was broadcast live on television, wearing patriotic red-white-red masks. “It’s a different holiday, a holiday with restrictions,” Kurz said. Together with Kogler, he appealed to the population to continue to comply with the measures of the crown. “Regardless of whether you believe in Corona and consider it dangerous or harmless, everyone will have to do their part,” Kurz said. Kogler thanked everyone who helped and said, “These days, loving home means sticking together.”
Regarding content, two topics were discussed in the Council of Ministers. The first concerned making the military and basic military service more attractive. “The pandemic has again made us aware that stability and security are only possible with a functioning armed forces,” Kurz said. Therefore, the government has initiated a strengthening of military training in basic military service and easier access to military service, including better financial compensation.
First, military officials should have as few restrictions as possible in the future and shorten the training period. Assistance services should be reduced as much as possible and the focus of basic military service training should be “clearly on the operational role and appointment as militiamen.” The special skills of basic military servants, such as above-average computer skills, should be used to the best of their ability during basic military service, as well as in the military role, and should be further promoted or expanded.
Financial incentive systems
Anyone who volunteers for the militia during basic military service agrees to complete 30 days of militia exercises after completing basic military service and, in return, receives a monthly recognition bonus of around 400 euros from the third month of training. In addition, training for militia cadres should be more attractive during military service. Soldiers who voluntarily report on militia exercises during basic military service may also complete portions of militia cadre training as part of basic training. This is supported by an additional system of financial incentives of around 200 euros per month.
Furthermore, beginning in spring 2021, long-term assistance missions, which can be permanently planned and spanning several weeks, such as assistance from border security police, will no longer be provided by military officials. basic, but by professional soldiers or militiamen. This does not affect operations required at short notice, such as disaster operations or operations in the course of the corona pandemic. An improvement of the position paths (keyword: post as a preventive exam) and a strengthening of military training in the course of basic military service are also announced. Additionally, digital maturity and fake news recognition, integration will be promoted through needs-based German courses and political education. (apa)
