70 years old | Ben Zyskowicz reads Facebook from paper – but for good reason

Thing is a lot. Ben Zyskowicz has been talking almost non-stop for the hour and a half interview, and he doesn’t seem to care, even though the time allotted for the story has well exceeded.

“I’m already late,” he says, glancing at the clock.

There is nothing surprising about it.

Zyskowicz has spoken more than any other current member of parliament in plenary sessions of the Parliament, more than 3,500 times.

He has managed to rant about the grievances he has seen from decade to decade and has tirelessly attacked the AY movement, social security abusers, criminals, the Center Party and former communists.

And not him not only talking but also interrupting others. Zyskowicz is a well-known snitch and the parliament’s second hardest-working interlocutor of all time.

You could almost imagine that he loves his own voice. Zyskowicz denies this, but of course admits that he likes to talk.

“I imagine I’m pretty good at explaining things in an understandable way. At least I get positive feedback from it.”

ZYSKOWICZ has sat in the parliament continuously since 1979. He has been involved in almost everything that has been decided in the national politics during the last 45 years.

When Zyskowicz is asked how the MP’s work has changed over the decades, he starts talking about communication.

“Digitalization has greatly affected practical work. Communicating with voters and stakeholders is considerably easier.”

Zyskowicz says he remembers well the time when the traditional media still acted as a gatekeeper between the MP and his audience.

All that has changed with social media, says Zyskowicz.

“Almost every MP is active on social media. I can’t say that it isn’t also a natural job of a member of parliament.”

AT ZYSKOWICZ does not have an account on any social media platform. However, not because he is a boomer when it comes to digital things.

The most significant reason for his absence from the social media world is chronic headaches, which Zyskowicz has suffered from since the early 1990s. Staring at the screen makes it worse.

Zyskowicz’s assistant handles most of the work on the computer. He taps the e-mail messages dictated by his superior and prints the trending conversations on social media for him.

“Of course, it has been enough joy that Ben is reading Facebook about aanelos”, Zyskowicz smiles.

Even more serious ones professional consequences have been caused by the headache. Health concerns have cost Zyskowicz the minister’s portfolio.

Does it hurt?

“No problem,” Zyskowicz replies.

“Of course, this is hard to believe. When I was younger, I might have had the desire, but with my health problems, I have been able to sell myself the fact that I have to do the jobs that also have good conditions for my health.”

ZYSKOWICZ has been a prominent figure outside of politics as well. He has gladly participated in various TV entertainment programs and has been a regular guest at cocktail parties.

Do you enjoy the attention?

Zyskowicz laughs.

“Hardly many people who get involved in politics in the elections, at least don’t really mind being recognized.”

He has also freely shared interviews. Later in the day, there is an interview with Seiska’s editor.

Zyskowicz says he appreciates domestic media. He feels that he has been treated fairly and that he has avoided undue publicity.

Completely his relationship with the media is still not frictionless. Zyskowicz has scolded the journalists for lacking self-criticism and placing themselves above criticism.

Do you think journalists are sensitive?

“Of course they are,” says Zyskowicz.

“We are usually on the sardino even when there is reason to criticize the activities of another media. Finland is too small a country for real media criticism.”

What about internal criticism of politics?

“Well, certainly to some extent. There are very few parties or individual politicians who would criticize, for example, party support. I notice these traits in myself as well.”

POLICY is a game of mental images, where the party’s position in parliament largely determines the layouts and weight of votes.

Does this ever feel fake about Zyskowicz?

“It doesn’t seem fake, but it does seem contradictory,” he admits.

“It’s obvious that you’re putting a sardino on when criticizing your government partners and you want to shoot down the opposition’s options and show them to be bad. It’s completely behavior resulting from the roles created by the parliamentary situation and, in my opinion, a perfectly legitimate procedure.”

The theater?

“That’s what you could say.”

AT ZYSKOWICZ withdrawal from the stage is inexorably approaching. He says that last year’s parliamentary elections will be his last.

“There are no political tasks after that.”

Responsibilities, yes. Zyskowicz is the happy grandfather of two grandchildren. In the evening, we have to take our 9-year-old granddaughter to floorball training.

He smiles.

“Helping them, supporting them and being involved in their lives is very important.”