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06.05.2026 10:00

Why immigrants should be interested in Finnish politics

Being interested in Finnish politics is one way to give something back to the society where we live, writes occupational safety representative Germain Ishimwe in his blog about participating in society.

Head-and-shoulders portrait of Germain Ishimwe, a smiling man with short hair and glasses wearing a patterned shirt, set against a plain light background.

Many people with immigrant backgrounds living in Finland follow closely the political news of their countries of origin. They read the news, discuss elections, and stay updated about the political situation back home. However, it is very common that these same people know very little about the political system, parties, and decisions in Finland, the country where they actually live and work. This situation should change.

Those of us who moved to Finland made a conscious decision. We chose Finland as our new home. We decided to work here, pay taxes here, and build our future here. Our children will grow up in this society. Therefore, the political decisions made in Finland affect our lives directly and immediately.

Politics is not something distant or abstract. It shapes our everyday lives. Decisions made in the Finnish Parliament and municipalities influence working conditions, social security, education, healthcare, housing, and many other aspects of daily life. As workers, political decisions about labour laws, unemployment benefits, collective bargaining, and the right to strike can have direct consequences on our economic security and dignity at work.

Finland has millions of workers and union members whose collective voice has the potential to strongly influence political decisions. Yet this influence only becomes reality when people are aware, informed, and active in society.

Understanding the Finnish political landscape is therefore an important step for immigrants who want to fully participate in society. Finland has a multi-party democratic system where different political parties represent different values and interest groups. Some parties traditionally support workers and trade unions, while others focus more on employers, entrepreneurs, or conservative social values.

The value map above shows how major Finnish parties are positioned between left and right on economic views and between liberal and conservative social values. Learning about these differences helps us understand political debates and the potential impact of policies on working people.

For immigrants, political awareness is also a matter of responsibility. If we benefit from the stability, security, and opportunities offered by Finnish society, we should also contribute to its democratic life. Democracy works best when people participate. Participation does not always mean becoming a politician. It can mean staying informed, discussing social issues, using your right to vote when you get it and being active in organizations such as trade unions. Participation doesn’t require citizenship.

Being active in a union such as PAM allows workers to collectively influence labour policies and advocate for fair treatment in the workplace.

For people with immigrant backgrounds, becoming active in unions and civil society also helps strengthen integration. It allows us to understand the structures of Finnish society and to make our voices heard. Our experiences as immigrants are valuable perspectives that should be included in discussions about the future of Finland.

Finland has given many of us opportunities: stability, safety, education, and the possibility to build a better future. Being interested in Finnish politics is one way to give something back to the society where we live.

My message for immigrants in Finland is simple: If Finland is our home, its politics is also our responsibility.

Waking up politically is not about ideology. It is about participation, awareness, and caring about the future of the society where we live, work, and raise our children.

Becoming active today means building a stronger and more inclusive Finland for tomorrow.

The writer Germain Ishimwe is Occupational Safety Representative at ATMA Trade Oy. He attended the ”Be a PAM activist” training in November 2025 to deepen his understanding of Finnish society, labour rights and activism.

Keywords:

immigration networks politics

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