Must one prepare for war in Central Europe? "It is already here today"

Austrian politicians from across the political spectrum are weighing in on the potential for future conflict in Central Europe and the necessary evolution of the European Union. Yannick Shetty, Neos club leader in the National Council, posits that Europe has historically progressed through crises, envisioning Austria as a proud member of a "United States of Europe" by 2050. He argues that a hybrid war is already occurring, targeting infrastructure and democratic institutions with new technologies like AI and drones, necessitating greater European defense cooperation.

Marina Hanke, head of the SPÖ Women in Vienna, agrees that the EU must change, advocating for a more democratic and agile bloc committed to human rights, women's rights, and peace. She envisions an EU with crisis-resilient democracies that lead in research, modern work environments, and social standards. Harald Zierfuß, ÖVP club leader in Vienna, emphasizes the indispensability of the EU's freedoms for his generation but calls for less regulation and more focus on security, competitiveness, and migration, rejecting a centralized, nation-state-less Europe. He notes the EU has drifted from citizens' concerns.

Marlene Svazek, Vice-Governor and FPÖ leader in Salzburg, anticipates future challenges, questioning the EU's capacity to renew itself and effectively address issues like declining competitiveness, global power shifts, and eroding national identities. She opposes a centralized, uniform state. Anne-Sophie Bauer, a Green Party representative, expresses hope for a stronger EU, viewing a united Europe as a given for her generation, raised with open borders and the Euro. She warns that Austria cannot stand alone against global powers like Trump, Putin, and China.

Regarding the prospect of war, Shetty asserts that hybrid warfare is already a reality in Central Europe. Hanke, however, focuses on responding to current wars, lamenting the silencing of peace voices and the normalization of harshness, advocating for diplomacy over escalation. Zierfuß acknowledges that peace is not a given, citing the proximity of conflict, and stresses the importance of serious national defense for Austria.