Meinl-Reisinger, known as “Bea-NATO” for her pro-NATO stances, argued that neutrality alone does not protect her country and advocated opening a public debate on the future of national defense policy.

The top diplomat, leader of the liberal NEOS party, has been insisting on this position for years, arguing that Austria’s neutral status, in place since 1955, no longer corresponds to current geopolitical realities.

However, polls show that nearly 75% of the population rejects abandoning neutrality, although only a third believe it truly guarantees their security.

Analysts point out that Austria has already de facto eroded its neutrality by participating in the European Union’s Common Security Policy, collaborating with NATO missions, and supporting Western sanctions against Russia.

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