There are 26 cantons in Switzerland. There are also half-cantons within these cantons. Like Appenzell Inner-Rhodes and Appenzell Outer Rhodes… Half cantons can send one representative to the Council of Cantons (Ständerat), while full cantons can send 2 representatives. Nazir Atila, originally from Maras- Pazarcik in Turkey, is a candidate to become deputy in the Appenzell Outer Rhodes and a city councillor in Herisau .

According to various data, people living in Switzerland are not very sensitive to politics. 40 percent participation is considered high in the elections in Switzerland. “Politicians cannot ensure people's participation anyway," said Atila and explained the reason why he became a candidate: “Since we, Kurds, have a more informed political tradition in any city and country we are in, I also showed interest in the election here. I wanted to make a contribution with my migrant background and political identity. I show interest in all the elections held in the municipality where I live. This is what it means to be political. I have been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP) since 2010. Before I came to Switzerland, I was working for HADEP in Antep. I was also a member of the party.”

Atila also writes poetry and short stories and will release a novel called 'The Cry of Hope' in April.

‘I WILL WORK FOR PEOPLE IF I AM ELECTED’

Swiss voters will elect 60 members for the Canton Council and 31 members for the City Council. Atila emphasized that the representation of migrants in the parliament is very important. He said: “The representation of migrants in this parliament is of great importance. Because laws concerning migrants have been passed. We should have a say as migrants. At the same time, representation is important in the City Council. Municipalities have their own governments. For example, non-citizens cannot vote in our municipality. This issue has been discussed in the last two sessions of the City Council, and if necessary, a referendum will be held. If I am elected, I can take part in different commissions, working on behalf of the people here.”

Atila stated that the Appenzell Outer Rhodes is a small canton where the number of Kurds is less than those who come from Balkan countries and other countries. He added: “Until a few years ago, even Africans were not allowed into this canton where I lived. This has just begun to change."

“We, Kurds, are politicized people and why shouldn't we reveal our identity in a place closed to so many migrants? I support our people, especially young people taking part in politics. I argue that the Kurds should enter politics in the European diaspora, in the cities and municipalities.

The problems of the Kurds are still not resolved.  I can address issues in places where Kurds live, in the city I live in, and in the municipality. For example, an earthquake occurred in Kurdish cities in Turkey. There must be some kind of political sensitivity. We, Kurds, can be stronger in the diaspora in Switzerland. We need to do something in the Federal Parliament. We are already represented, but I think that this is not enough.”

'MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR MIGRANTS'

Atila remarked that migrants had many problems, including citizenship and integration, and education in the native language was among these problems. Speaking about a problem he faced in his city and municipality, he stated: “There was a bill about how much savings would be made for a year by reducing the monthly payments of migrants who have been granted the right to reside in Switzerland. We can have a say in such a discussion. These are important things. The Social Democratic Party, of which I am a member, opposed this proposal. The party said that the bill would put migrants under restraint. The issue was dropped before it was even put to a vote.”

RACISTS MESSAGES

Atila said: “People from different parts of society support me. In the last election, even the right-wing party followers supported me.”

He added that he was exposed to racist attacks as well as receiving positive feedback. He received racist threats on social media. Some Swiss voters told him, 'Get out of politics!' and his party said that it would release a statement against racist threats after the election. “This is a democratic election after all. There is direct democracy in Switzerland, but there are also racist and right-wing people. Here, you can feel the real wind of democracy. Even the smallest issues are debated by the public. Dozens of referendums and elections are held annually. Unfortunately, racist attacks can happen even in such a democratic environment.”

'VOTING WILL END ON APRIL 16'

Atila noted that his team set up booths during the election campaign, left leaflets in voters’ mailboxes, and talked to voters on the streets. He concluded: “Elections kicked off on March 27 by postal voting, and the voting will end on April 16. It is very important to me that voters support me to become deputy in the Appenzell Outer Rhodes and a city councillor in Herisau.”