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Parliament composition "Eduskunta"
as on the 16 march 2007
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National Coalition Party (KOK) |
50 |
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Total number |
200 |
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Political System
The republican constitution, adopted in the summer of 1919, characterised Finland's parliamentary system by stating: "Sovereign power in Finland belongs to the people, who are represented by Parliament."
Head of State
The President of Finland is Mrs. Tarja Halonen (2000) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The President is elected for a six-year term by direct popular vote.
Under the Finnish Constitution, which entered into force on 1 March 2000, executive power is vested in the President and the Council of State (i.e. the Government). This principle is reflected in other provisions of the Constitution concerning the President's functions and powers dealing with legislation, decrees, appointment of public officials etc. The number of matters within the scope of executive power has grown strongly since the 1919 Constitution was drafted. The centre of gravity in executive power has since shifted more towards the Council of State. EU membership has further contributed to this trend.
Government
The Government is appointed by the President and must enjoy the confidence of Parliament. The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and thereafter formally appointed to office by the President of the Republic. Then, the President appoints the other ministers in accordance with a proposal from the Prime Minister.
Mr Matti Vanhanen, leader of the Centre Party, was nominated as Prime Minister for his second term on April 19 2007. His party ended up the biggest, by one seat, in the Parliamentary elections held in March. In these elections, Mr Jyrki Katainen, leader of the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), conducted his party to a massive electoral victory gaining 10 new seats and becoming the second largest party in the Parliament, hence paving the way for centre-right "blue-green" coalition. The third major party, the Social Democratic Party, suffered a severe defeat in the elections under the leadership of Mr Eero Heinäluoma, and was left to the opposition for the first time since 1995.
The government is a coalition of the Centre Party (KESK), the National Coalition Party (KOK), the Greens (VIHR) and the Swedish People's Party (RKP/SFP). The Centre Party and the National Coalition Party have eight ministerial posts each and the Greens and the Swedish People's Party have two posts each. 12 out of 20 ministers are women, making the government historically strong in female representation. The previous government was composed of the Centre Party, the Social Democrats and the Swedish People's Party. Before 2007, the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) was in the government from 1987 to 2003 together either with the Centre Party or the Social Democratic Party.
Legislature
When the unicameral Parliament was established in 1906, Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Czar, who ruled as Grand Duke rather than Monarch. Finland declared its independence on 6 December 1917 and in the winter of 1918 endured a tragic civil war, after which monarchists and republicans struggled over the country's form of government. Finland became a republic, but with extensive powers reserved for the President.
The Eduskunta ("Riksdag" in Swedish, which is the second offial language in Finland) has 200 members elected for a four-year term by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies.
Parliament has an independent right to submit legislative proposals, but in practice most decisions taken in Parliament are based on government proposals. An Act adopted by Parliament is submitted to the President of the Republic for confirmation. The President must decide on confirmation within three months of submission. If the President does not confirm the Act, it is returned to Parliament for further consideration. If Parliament re-adopts the Act without material alterations, it enters into force without confirmation. The Act must be signed by the President of the Republic.
National elections
The next legislative elections are in March 2011 and the Presidential elections in 2012.
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Political System
