JUNOS Upper Austria at the NEOS Upper Austria primaries for the state legislative election

Felix Eypeltauer – running as the top candidate

I am fully committed to a liberal, humanistic centrist agenda because this is where I can make my greatest personal contribution to a thriving society.

I don’t want to be one of those people who sit comfortably on the sidelines, thinking they know better, complaining, or giving up—but rather someone who rolls up their sleeves and is always ready to take on the greatest responsibility they can bear. I believe that politics can work for the good, and I am committed to that. I advocate for liberal politics because it is the only ideology that has recognized the individual as free and dignified, people as susceptible to corruption by power, and the masses as a danger.

I stand behind NEOS with all my strength because it is the only chance for renewal, change, and a fresh start for the people of Austria. Anything else means decline—at best, postponed; at worst, inevitable.
For me, rolling up my sleeves and getting to work means dedicating myself to our Upper Austria in the toughest political arena of all: state politics.

I want Upper Austrian politics to finally get its act together, feel a kick in the rear, and seriously tackle problems at their root. “Good enough” is no longer enough. “The best possible” is the standard.

Families deserve the best education for their children; we all deserve the fastest, most digitally advanced government agencies, minimal bureaucracy, transparency, and integrity; and our region deserves forward-looking, sustainable economic policies instead of mismanagement and obstacles to energy expansion.

That’s why, after one term in the state parliament, I’m running again with full conviction: With us, Upper Austria can do so much more for its people. We owe it to them.

Gregor Stadler – Running for Additional Positions on the Ticket

I’m in politics because I want Upper Austria to be a place where people enjoy living, working, and building their future.

Through my studies in artificial intelligence and economics, my time in Canada and Taiwan, and my work at JKU, I’ve seen how differently countries approach new technologies, the economy, and change. This has shaped my view of politics: We don’t have to invent everything ourselves, but we should be open enough to learn from the best ideas.

For me, liberal politics means, above all, trusting people to succeed and easing their burdens. Anyone who works, starts a business, or wants to build wealth shouldn’t constantly feel that taxes and bureaucracy are standing in their way. And every child should have the chance to receive the best education, regardless of where they come from or how much their parents earn.

Personal freedom is just as important to me. I want a strong rule of law that protects our freedom, and an open society in which every person can live their life on their own terms and love whomever they choose.

I don’t want us to settle for the fact that things are going pretty well here anyway. As the world changes, we must have the courage to bring about change ourselves.
I want to do my part to ensure that young people see a future here, that companies are eager to invest, and that good ideas can come to fruition.

A Place to Be. Not a Place to Leave.

Isabell Maurer – Running for Additional Positions on the Ballot

I’m Isabell from Thalheim near Wels. I’m studying social economics and have been active with JUNOS since 2023. For me, politics works best when different generations and perspectives have a say in decision-making. That’s why I want to encourage more young people—and young women in particular—to get involved and take on leadership roles. Strong youth programs and better public transportation—even outside of cities—are especially important to me.

Manuel Holzer – Running for Additional Positions on the Ballot

It is important to me that young liberal voices are heard and have a say in state politics as well.

Especially in the areas of vocational training and financial literacy, there are many modern approaches that can enrich schools and apprenticeship programs. As an industrial state, I see Upper Austria as a responsible role model in this regard—one that should promote educational and career guidance beyond trade shows and make access easier. By providing practical insights, we can strengthen the economic and financial knowledge of young Upper Austrians, rather than letting it wither away in the neglected realm of geography classes. All of this also contributes significantly to creating equal opportunities for all young people in the state.

The underlying problem—and the reason why progress here is so slow—is this:

Austria is characterized by a government structure that is out of step with the times. With its accession to the EU in the 1990s, Austria gained an additional layer of government that significantly influences legislation. A logical conclusion for me is that one level can be eliminated, because too many cooks spoil the broth. It is best to eliminate this level in the middle. The federal states no longer need a legislative chamber. One representative is entirely sufficient. The fact that the state parliaments are no longer needed should also come from within the state parliament itself. I intend to make sure that happens.