Finland Times

Naturalised Finnish candidates in this year’s European parliamentary elections said, if elected, they would work to resolve the unemployment crisis of the youth and sufferings of immigrants.

Four of the total 251 candidates contesting from Finland are of foreign origin. Some of them said although they expect votes from people from all strata, their own communities would work as their particular vote-banks.

The Bangladesh-origin Faruk Abu Taher, who entered the Finnish politics just three months back, is contesting the polls from the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) while the Afghanistan-origin Nasima Razmyar is in the race with a ticket of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party-SDP). The Turkish-origin Ozan Yanar is contesting the polls from the Vihreä (Green League) and the Thai-origin Thai Quach from the Kansallinen Kokoomus (Natioanal Coalition Party).

Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance) candidate Faruk Abu Taher. Press Release Photo.

“I have entered the broader political arena with a view to serve the people, particularly the immigrants,” Faruk Abu Taher told Finland Times, adding that expatriates across Europe are facing a myriad of problems.

He emphasised giving special attention to resolving the unemployment crisis.

The Vasemmistoliitto candidate, who arrived in Finland in 2008, said although he expects votes from all, he is sure of bagging most of the votes of about 1,000 Bangladesh-origin voters.

Nasima Razmyar told Finland Times that one of her main concerns is unemployment, particularly of the youth. So, she would like to be a member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, if elected in the elections.

“I have received messages from many Afghans that they are going to vote in favour of me,” said Razmyar, who left Afghanistan at the age of five and has been living in Finland for the last 24 years since her arrival here at the age of eight.

Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party-SDP) candidate Nasima Razmyar. Press Release Photo.

Talking to Finland Times about his origin and identity, Vihreä candidate Ozan Yanar said he considers himself a global citizen.

“Before I moved to Finland, I lived in Turkey, England and Cyprus. I’m ethnically Turkish, but I have lived in so many places that I consider myself a world citizen,” said Yanar.

Yanar, 27, said he has been living in Finland for the last 13 years after his arrival here at the age of 14 and considers himself Finnish and Turkish at the same time.

“I feel totally Finnish. I don’t consider myself a non-Finn. I see the Finnish society as a part of the European whole. And political decisions made in the EU effect everybody’s life in Finland and Europe regardless of ethnicity,” he said to a query whether he expects votes from the Turkish-origin people.

“I hope the people of Turkish descent in Finland would vote for me, but my primary target is to get votes from the entire Finnish population,” said Yanar.  But, “this doesn’t mean I wouldn’t comment on issues related to immigration and integration. I’m actively writing on these issues in my blogs, talking about them in panel discussions and in my speeches.”

Vihreä candidate Ozan Yanar. Press Release Photo.

He believes there is a lot to be done at the European level regarding the economic crises the country is facing now.

Yanar said one-sided policy measures have not solved any problems. They have rather turned economic crises into social ones. “We also have a huge youth unemployment which we must tackle,” he remarked.

He said, “As a person who has researched unemployment issues, I would like to better these issues with concrete solutions.”

The other naturalised Finnish candidate, Thai Quach, could not be contacted immediately.