Former Burundian police officer seeks to become Greece’s first black MP

A Burundi-born former police officer, Spiros-Richard Hagabimana, is seeking to become an MP in Greece.

On the ticket of the conservative New Democracy Party, Spiros-Richard is contesting the south-eastern Piraeus II electoral district come Sunday, May 21, 2023.

"Piraeus is the place where I studied, learned my first Greek words, worked and live. Through this area, I learned to love Greece," one of Hagabimana's poll posters on Twitter reads.

Hagabimana is currently a senior migration ministry official and candidate with the conservative New Democracy party.

This dream of Spiros-Richard will make should he win in a country where immigrants rarely hold public offices and positions.

The politician, who is 54 recounted to Reuters in an interview about how he was jailed in Burundi for refusing to open fire on anti-government protesters during a military coup at the time.

He was only released from jail with the help of Greek authorities and moved to Athen in 2016.

According to Reuters, Hagabimana first moved to Greece on a scholarship to study at the Naval Academy in 1991. But left in 1996 after he graduated.

Hagabimana being aware of his colour urges voters not to focus on his skin colour in the upcoming elections.

“I have an opinion about racism.

“Racism cannot be fought with words alone. Racism is fought with everyday actions. When the other person is afraid of the unknown, you must give them an opportunity to come into contact with what they are afraid of,” said the politician when he was speaking to Reuters.

ABJ/YNA