Chancellor Christian Stocker concludes national dialogue tour in Linz

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has concluded his “Österreich im Gespräch” (Austria in Conversation) tour with a final event at Johannes Kepler University in Linz. The tour, which consisted of nine stops across the country, aimed to gather citizen concerns regarding topics such as health, education, the pension system, and the shortage of skilled nursing staff.

During the discussions in Linz, the new climate law was a primary focus, specifically regarding its impact on the competitiveness of Upper Austrian industry. Stocker noted that a “location clause” in the law is intended to protect the economy while addressing CO2 reduction.

Separately, Upper Austria Governor Thomas Stelzer criticized the federal government's decision-making processes, specifically regarding the drought relief package and climate protection legislation. Stelzer called for “more tempo, less excitement” within the coalition, arguing that constant political maneuvering between coalition partners slows down essential governance and benefits opposition parties. He expressed support for Stocker as a leader and a candidate for the 2029 national election.