Oslo’s youngest city council member seeks re-election at age 20

Arina Aamir, who made history as Oslo’s youngest-ever city council representative at 18, has announced she will run for a second term in the 2027 elections, Dagbladet reports.

Speaking to the newspaper at Yadgar Sweets, a Pakistani bakery in Oslo’s Grønland district, Aamir confirmed her decision after months of consideration. “The nomination process is underway, and when asked if I wanted to stand again, I said yes,” she said. “My commitment remains the same, even though life looks very different now.”

Aamir, now 20, was first elected in 2024 while finishing high school. Since then, she has balanced her political role with studies, media appearances, and public engagement—visiting over 450 schools, businesses, and organisations across the city. Despite the demands, she insists on maintaining a strict routine. “I prioritise ten hours of sleep. That leaves me 14 hours a day, and with good planning, it’s enough,” she told Dagbladet.

Her re-election bid centres on key policy goals, including the full abolition of Oslo’s property tax—a pledge she says her party, Høyre (the Conservative Party), is “well on the way” to fulfilling. She also advocates for specialised “profile schools” to better serve students in STEM and creative fields, arguing that “everyone needs places where they can truly excel.”

Aamir has been outspoken against what she sees as the stigmatisation of drivers in Oslo, a city of over 700,000 with diverse transport needs. “You can’t shame people for using cars,” she said. “Some have disabilities, large families, or work night shifts. We need better public transport and to respect that cars are part of the solution.”

Her political journey began at 15, when she first spoke out against anti-Muslim rhetoric from groups like SIAN (Stop the Islamisation of Norway). Though she rarely discusses her faith publicly, she emphasised the cultural and personal significance of Ramadan, which she has observed since age 11. “It’s part of who I am,” she said, while stressing she represents Høyre voters—not all Muslims or Pakistani-Norwegians.

Born to Pakistani parents, Aamir embraces her heritage but is firm about her identity: “Norway is home. Pakistan is like a vacation—and that’s okay to say.” She pointed to local issues like parking fines hurting small businesses in Grønland, arguing, “You shouldn’t risk a 900-kroner fine for buying a 100-kroner cake. That’s not how you build a good city.”

The next Oslo city council election is scheduled for September 2027.