Ben Zyskowicz, 71, has been on medical leave since the stroke and remains in rehabilitation. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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Finland’s longest-serving Member of Parliament Ben Zyskowicz says he does not know whether he will be able to return to parliamentary work following a stroke suffered in late July.
Speaking to Hufvudstadsbladet, Zyskowicz said his recovery is ongoing but admitted that neither he nor his doctors can predict whether he will regain full working capacity.
“I don’t know if I will return to Parliament, even during this term,” he said. “The doctors don’t know either. No one knows if I will get my working ability back.”
Zyskowicz, 71, has been on medical leave since the stroke and remains in rehabilitation. His current sick leave runs until the end of January, though he said the date was set only as a rough estimate. “I think the doctors simply chose a date because Parliament’s spring session begins in February,” he told the newspaper.
He added that in the first days after the stroke, he struggled to remember discussions with his doctors. “For obvious reasons, I don’t remember much of what was said then,” he noted.
Zyskowicz said his physical recovery is progressing but declined to speculate about his cognitive condition. “I’m recovering well, but when I speak of work ability, I mean what happens between the ears. I’m as curious about that as your readers,” he said.
The veteran politician gave the interview on the same day he became Finland’s longest-serving member of Parliament, marking 17,003 days, or 46 years, in office.
He entered Parliament in 1979 as a representative of the National Coalition Party and has served continuously ever since. Over the decades, he has become one of Finland’s most recognisable political figures and a symbol of parliamentary longevity.
Colleagues from across party lines have praised his career and his characteristic directness in debate. Despite his current absence, Zyskowicz remains an honorary figure within the party and the legislature.
The ongoing parliamentary term runs until spring 2027, leaving open the possibility of his return if his health allows.
For now, Zyskowicz said he is focusing on recovery and following political events from home. He has received visits from fellow MPs, including members of the National Coalition’s parliamentary group.
Zyskowicz’s long tenure has made him a fixture of Finnish politics across generations. Known for his sharp questioning and distinctive presence, he has witnessed major political shifts, from the Cold War era to Finland’s entry into the European Union and its recent accession to NATO.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future in Parliament, he remains philosophical. “I have no complaints,” he said in the interview. “I’m grateful for the life I’ve had and for the work I’ve been able to do.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
