Once the votes in the September 13 parliamentary election have been fully counted, it will be clear that two more Assyrians will represent the Swedish people in the highest political arena. Paul Sabo (KD), a 25-year-old lawyer and group leader for the Christian Democrats in Eskilstuna, will take his seat in the Riksdag for the Sörmland constituency. At the same time, Ilan De Basso (S)—a former city councilor in Jönköping and Member of the European Parliament—appears set to return to the Riksdag, the seat he left in 2022 to serve as a Member of the European Parliament.
Two different political parties, two different generations, but one thing in common: both bring their Assyrian heritage with them into the halls of Swedish democracy.
The Assyrian National Federation now wishes both of them the best of luck in their important roles serving the Swedish people. Regardless of political affiliation, this serves as a reminder that commitment to and participation in building society have always been part of the Assyrian community’s identity in Sweden.
