Austrian Chancellor Stocker tour faces childcare backlash

In mid‑July 2026 Chancellor Christian Stocker launched the "Austria in Conversation" tour, visiting all nine states with about 200 citizens per stop. Funded from the chancellor’s office budget, the tour was criticised by opposition parties as a partisan publicity stunt and for its self‑registration selection method.

At the early‑August Salzburg stop, Stocker responded to a question about the 96 hours per week of unpaid care performed by women by saying “childcare is not work for me.” The remark provoked boos, audience protests and sharp condemnation from the Greens, FPÖ, SPÖ and NEOS. Coalition figures including Manuela Khom, NEOS spokesperson Gertraud Auinger‑Oberzaucher and regional leaders Karoline Edtstadler and Johanna Mikl‑Leitner denounced the comment as dismissive of women’s labour.

Stocker later issued a public apology, calling the sentence “wrong,” affirming that “childcare is work,” and thanking families for their contributions. A government spokesperson reiterated that the chancellor never intended to downplay unpaid care work. The episode has broadened debate in Austria over recognition of unpaid care work and gender‑pay equity.