I had an offer of employment, I became furious against Raymond Johansen

Kamzy Gunaratnam (31) became the youngest deputy mayor of Oslo for four years. At that time, she did not really like that.

– When Raymond Johansen wanted to appoint me deputy mayor, I first said clearly that no. "I do not have time for these things," I thought. But Raymond was determined, he refused to give up, said Gunaratnam.

– Why not you?

– I wanted to be the head of the urban development committee and play politics. But Raymond was convinced that I could be a voice for the young people of Oslo, especially those of foreign culture.

– Did he understand correctly?

– I hope so. And when dad learned that I was deputy mayor, he started crying.

– You cry?

– No, I was still pissed off at Raymond, said Gunaratnam and laughed out loud.

Will not be mayor

She is better known as Kamzy and today, as Deputy Mayor, she flourishes and simply does not want to become Mayor of Norway's largest municipality. The turning point was the occasion of a closer dialogue with the young people of Oslo.

– Marianne Borgen does a fantastic job as mayor. She is much safer in this role than I could ever be. I think I can make a difference as deputy mayor. The work of the mayor requires a mother figure like Marianne.

– This spring, there was a campaign in Oslo Ap to get you elected mayor?

– Yes, I had to calm down a little. There were serious discussions with some members of the party. You can not run a campaign when you go to the elections in the same block as the mayor of today.

labor crisis

The Labor Party is fighting in Oslo. According to Pollofpolls.no average polls, the party would have a support of 22.6%. This represents a 9.4% drop from the results of the 2015 elections. And while the left side seems to retain the majority, the big brother Ap is now dependent on the growth of SV, Røde and MDG. And so, the balance of power within the city council will change.

– In the past, the problem was that Ap did not have enough friends to get a majority. Now we have it and it is very good. We can not complain about the growth of our friends.

– A drop of almost ten percent. When is the crisis in Oslo Ap?

– You speak as if we did not manage the city well.

– Does it look like measurements?

– But we were good! Of course, Ap always wants to be as big as possible, but the most important thing is to preserve the left majority in the city. If we can do that, I'm happy.

– And so Oslo will be even more red and greener?

– Yes! And it's great.

– Not if you are a small voter who does not want to give too much power to wing parties?

– Norway has a wing party in the government. And nobody should worry that Oslo is more red and greener. The most important problems in Oslo are social inequalities and climate. Ap is a party in power that reduces its debts and believes at the same time that an active policy can make a difference in people's lives.

– A kick to the red

Gunaratnam says that she has experienced how great Oslo can be. At the age of 16, she went from the Apalløkka School on Grorud to Oslo Handymgym, in the far west, and noticed huge cultural differences.

She insists that the cooperation between the three parties of the municipal council (Ap, OMD and Red) and the Red party cooperate in a transparent way. Except for the tolls, then.

– There is an agreement between several policies on the Oslo package 3, but here the red does not fit us. Climate is the biggest solidarity struggle of our time and Red makes fun of us, says Gunaratnam, crossing his arms.

– It was a kick for Red. Many ordinary people who live outside the center, like my father who assumes the job of chef every day, pay less now in the tolls, she adds.

– You mean that Red does not care about the climate?

– I'm asking him, yes. Red is a populist party, they are ready to catch things that are in the wind at all times. Now, there are tolls. We have made many good budgets with Røde in Oslo, but when things hold a lot of attention, R RED does not listen to things get complicated.

– Red simplifies politics too much?

– Yes, they do not see things in context.

– Maybe it's not so strange that Støre is reluctant to sit in a government with Red?

– It is clear that we prefer the red to the frp. And then Red has to understand that if they want to do politics, not just shout as loud as they can in the media, they need the Labor Party. We must work together. He must understand red.