2. Introduction to Finland‟s political
system
Politics of Finland takes effect in a structure of parliamentary
representative democratic republic and of multi-party system.
President of Finland is head of state, conducts foreign policy, and is
Commander-in-chief of Finnish Defense Forces.
PM of Finland is head of government, whose responsibility is to exercise
executive power.
Legislative power lays in Parliament of Finland; the government‟s right
to revise or expand legislation is restricted.
Judiciary is independent of executive and legislature.
Judiciary is made up of two structures, regular courts and executive
courts, supervised by the Supreme Court and the Supreme
Administrative Court, respectively.
Executive courts review cases in which official decisions are decided
upon.
There is no “Constitutional Court” – a law‟s legitimacy can be
determined only as relevant to a single court case.
3. Introduction to Finland‟s political
system – cont.
While Finland has a mostly parliamentary
system, president has some important powers.
Foreign policy is headed by president, “in co-operation”
with cabinet; the same relates to issues in regarding
national security.
Major executive power rests in cabinet directed by PM.
Prior to the redrafting of the constitution, completed in
2000, president enjoyed more power.
Finns have both individual and political freedoms.
Suffrage age in Finland is 18; Finnish women became the
first in the world to win unlimited rights both to vote and to
serve in parliament.
4. Constitution
First adopted on July 17, 1919, Finnish constitution was
rewritten on March 1, 2000.
Old constitution contained four constitutional laws and several
amendments, replaced by new constitution.
Civil law system in Finland is modeled on Sweden‟s law.
Supreme Court (Finnish: korkein oikeus (KKO), Swedish:
högsta domstolen) may ask for legislation that interpret or
changes existing laws.
President nominates judges.
5. Executive Branch
Even though foreign policy is formally president‟s duty, Finland has a
parliamentary system.
Executive power lies mostly in cabinet (Finnish Council of State), led by PM.
Leader of party obtaining biggest support in elections for parliament, who also
becomes cabinet PM, is charged with responsibility for creating the cabinet out of
several political parties and discussing its platform.
However, any minister and the cabinet must, as a whole, have maintained trust of
parliament and can be voted out, resign or be replaced.
Council of State consists of PM and ministers for diverse departments of the
central government along with an ex-officio member, Chancellor of Justice.
In official practice, “cabinet” (valtioneuvosto) are ministers which include PM and
Chancellor of Justice, where as “government” (hallitus) is cabinet directed by
president.
In popular practice, hallitus (with president) can also refer to valtioneuvosto
(without president).
6. President
Elected to six-year term, president:
Manages foreign affairs of Finland in cooperation with
Cabinet, excluding specific international agreements of
peace or war, which must be presented to parliament.
Is Commander-in-Chief of armed forces.
Has some ruling and appointive powers.
Endorses laws, and can call extraordinary parliamentary
assemblies.
Formally nominates PM of Finland chosen by
Parliament, and formally nominates remainder of cabinet
(Council of State) as recommend by PM.
7. Council of State
PM and ministers for different
departments of central
government along with ex-officio
member, Chancellor of
Justice, make up Council of State.
Ministers are not obligated to be
members of Eduskunta
(parliament) and are not required
to be formally associated with any
political party.
After hearing
parliament, president appoints PM
for parliament to approve in a
vote; PM selects remainder of
cabinet, formally nominated by
president.
8. Responsibility in the European Union
There is currently a continuing debate in Finland whether
president or PM is chief envoy of Finland in the EU; 2000
rewriting of the constitution did not address this issue.
Implicitly, it puts EU issues under domestic policy and
consequently in PM‟s domain.
Simultaneously, communication with other state leaders makes
up directing foreign policy, which is president‟s duty.
Recently, a modification has been made to constitution to
separate liability for EU military operations, unambiguously
national security and foreign policy issues.
Nonetheless, a full separation has not been fulfilled.
It is also debated if President Tarja Halonen represented Finland
only or the whole EU when she met President of Russia Vladimir
Putin.
9. Parliament
Parliament of Finland is 200-member unicameral parliament called the
Eduskunta in Finnish and Riksdag in Swedish; it is the highest legislative
power in Finland.
It may amend the constitution, bring about Council of State‟s
resignation, and overrule presidential vetoes.
Its acts cannot be placed under the judicial review‟s authority.
Council of State or one of the Eduskunta members, who are elected to four-
year term on base of proportional representation by open list multi-member
regions, can propose or initiate legislation.
Individuals age 18 and above, with exception of military recruits on active
duty and a few senior judicial executives, are entitled to election.
Normal parliamentary term is four years, but president may dissolve the
Eduskunta and call new or early elections at PM‟s appeal for election and
after asking speaker of parliament.
10. Parliament – cont.
Since equal and common suffrage began in 1906, parliament has been
ruled by National Coalition Party, Centre Party (ex-Agrarian Union), and
Social Democratic Party.
None of these parties has had single-party majority, with one prominent
exception, 1916 parliamentary election in which Social Democratic Party
won 103 of 200 seats.
After 1944, Communist Party of Finland was an issue to consider for a few
decades; Finnish People‟s Democratic League, founded by Communists
and other groups left of Social Democratic Party, was biggest party after
1958 parliamentary election.
In the early 1980s, endorsement for Communist Party of Finland plummeted
sharply; later on that same decade, environmentalists founded Green
League, now medium-sized party.
Swedish People‟s Party represents Finland‟s Swedish minority, particularly
in language politics.
Parties‟ relative strengths change only slimly in elections because of
proportional election from multi-member regions, though there are some
noticeable long-term trends.
13. Registered political parties
National Coalition Party (Kansallinen
Kokoomus; Samlingspartiet, Kok.)
Christian Democrats of Finland (Suomen
Kristillisdemokraatit; Kristdemokraterna i
Finland, KD)
True Finns (Perussuomalaiset;
Sannfinländarna, PS)
Centre Party (Suomen Keskusta; Centern
i Finland, Kesk.)
Swedish People‟s Party of Finland
(Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue;
Svenska folkpartiet i Finland, RKP)
Social Democratic Party of Finland
(Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue;
Finlands Socialdemokratiska Parti, SDP)
Left Alliance (Vasemmistoliitto;
Vänsterförbundet, Vas.)
Green League (Vihreä liitto; Gröna
förbundet, Vihr.)
14. Extra parliamentary parties
For the Poor (Köyhien Asialla; För de fattigas väl, Koch.)
Independence Party (Itsenäisyyspuolue;
Självständighetspartiet, IPU)
Workers‟ Party of Finland (Suomen työväenpuolue; Finlands
Arbetarparti, STP)
Pirate Party (Piraattipuolue; Piratpartiet, PP)
Change 2011 (Muutos 2011; Förändring 2011, M11)
Freedom Party (Vapauspuolue (VP) – Suomen tulevaisuus;
Frihetspartiet, VP)
Communist Party of Finland (Suomen kommunistinen puolue;
Finlands kommunistiska parti, SKP)
15. Sauli Niinistö
Born 24 August 1948 in Salo.
12th and current President of
Finland; took office 1 March
2012, making him first National
Coalition Party president since Juho
Kusti Paasikivi, who left office in
1996.
Lawyer by instruction; was Minister
of Finance from 1996-2003 and
nominee for National Coalition Party
in 2006 presidential election.
Also served as Speaker of
Parliament of Finland from 2007-
2011; current Honorary President of
European People‟s Party (EPP)
since 2002.
Was National Coalition Party
nominee in 2012 presidential
election and defeated Green
League challenger Pekka Haavisto
with 62.6% of the vote in crucial
second round.
16. Jyrki Katainen
Born 14 October 1971 in Siilinjärvi.
Current PM of Finland; took office 22 June 2011.
Also current chairman of National Coalition Party.
Grew up in Siilinjärvi and was a part-time
instructor, becoming member of the Siilinjärvi
municipal council in 1993.
Was elected as member of Finnish Parliament
(Eduskunta) from region of Northern Savonia in
1999; served as vice-chairman of his party from 2001
and subsequently became its leader in 2004.
Was also elected VP of European People‟s Party
(EPP) for three-year term in March 2003.
Led National Coalition to second place from Social
Democrats in 2007 parliamentary election, and
became Finance Minister and Deputy PM in new
cabinet of National Coalition, Center, Greens, and
Swedish People‟s Party.
Was named as Europe‟s best finance minister by
Financial Times in November 2008.
Warned in 2009 that European leaders must do more
to arrange their voters for “exit strategies” that take
open divisions back under control, stressing that “It is
always politically difficult but we simply have no
choice. We will have to do very painful things in
forthcoming years when the economy has started to
recover.”
17. Eero Heinäluoma
Born 4 July 1955 in Kokkola.
Current Speaker of Parliament of Finland since 23 June
2011.
Ex-chairman of Social Democratic Party of Finland; was
replaced in that party‟s leadership by Jutta Urpilainen in
June 2008, after having been elected in June 2005, during
which he succeeded ex-PM Paavo Lipponen.
Also served as Minister of Finance of Finland between 23
September 2005 and 19 April 2007.
Had a number of positions in Central Organisation of
Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) from 1983-2003.
Was one of the directors in SAK from 2000-2003; was
nominated party secretary in 2002 and in 2003
parliamentary election, and was elected as MP from
electoral constituency of Uusimaa.
Was designated Paavo Lipponen‟s successor when he
was party secretary.
Won on first ballot with 201 out of 350 votes; his
challengers were Erkki Tuomioja (138 votes) and Minister
of Education Tuula Haatainen (11 votes).
Ordered rearrange of SDP cabinet members, as party
leader.
SDP suffered a huge loss in 2007 parliamentary election
and lost 15% of their parliament seats, worst result since
1962; this loss led to his subsequent resignation as party
leader.
Was elected as Social Democratic parliamentary group
leader in February 2010, serving in that post until he
became parliament speaker.
Has majored in political sciences, but has not completed
his degree.
18. National Coalition Party
Liberal conservative political party.
Founded in 1918.
One of Finland‟s four biggest
parties, alongside Social Democratic
Party, Finns Party, and Centre Party.
Models its politics on “individual freedom
and responsibility, equality, Western
democracy and economic
system, humane principles and caring.”
Is strongly pro-European and member of
European People‟s Party (EPP).
Its vote split has been almost 20% in
1990s and 2000s parliamentary elections.
Won 44/200 seats in 2011 parliamentary
election, making it Finnish parliament‟s
biggest party for the first time in its
existence.
Became most popular party in 2008 and
also in 2012, in terms of community level.
19. Social Democratic Party of
Finland
One of four main political parties in Finland, together with
National Coalition Party, Finns Party, and Centre Party.
Its current leader is Jutta Urpilainen, highest-level SDP minister
and finance minister.
Has been represented in Finnish cabinet for long periods and
contributed to many of the Finnish state‟s original policies.
Is currently present in PM Jyrki Katainen‟s current cabinet.
The party‟s goals are to accomplish social democratic
objectives, i.e., a society where “freedom, equality, solidarity and
co-operation thrives in a peaceful and clean environment.”
Has close ties with Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
(SAK), and is member of Socialist International and Party of
European Socialists.
Had 40% of vote in early 20th century, but following Finnish Civil
War of 1918, Communists left the party to found Communist
Party of Finland; afterwards, SDP has usually had 20-29% of all
votes in those elections where Communists or their fronts have
been permitted to participate.
Has approximately 59,000 affiliates.
Three SDP nominees have been elected Finland‟s president:
Mauno Koivisto in 1982 and 1988, Martti Ahtisaari in 1994, and
Tarja Halonen in 2000 and 2006, a continuous 30-year period of
socialist presidents that was halted with Sauli Niinistö‟s election
in March 2012.
Acquired 21.4 percent of vote and lost eight seats in 2007
parliamentary election; continued its decline with biggest drop
since 1960.
In most recent parliamentary election (2011), it won 19.1 percent
of the vote and lost an additional three seats; it obtained only 42
seats, its worst result in the Finnish parliament‟s history.
Although the word sosiaali in modern Finnish has long a, the
name of the party, for historical reasons, is spelt in a traditional
way with short a.
20. True Finns (Finns Party)
Populist and nationalist political party; founded in 1995
after Finnish Rural Party was dissolved.
Timo Soini has been the party‟s leader since 1997.
Received 19.1% of vote in 2011 parliamentary
election, becoming third biggest party in Finland‟s
parliament; it is currently parliament‟s key opposition
party.
Merges left-wing economic policies with conservative
common standards, socio-cultural authoritarianism, and
ethnic nationalism.
Finnish examiners have typically regarded the party
fiscally centre-left, socially conservative, a “centre-
based populist party” or “most left-wing of the non-
socialist parties”, while some foreign academics have
portrayed them as radically right-wing populist.
Its MPs have always been seated in the middle in
parliament seating classification; party‟s devotees have
also depicted themselves as centrists.
Has attracted individuals from left-wing parties, but
fundamental characteristics of their manifesto have
also attracted support from right-wing voters.
Has been compared by worldwide media to other
Nordic populist parties and other related nationalist and
right-wing movements in Europe sharing
euroscepticism and are critical of globalism, whilst
taking note of its strong endorsement for Finnish
welfare state.
21. Centre Party
Centrist, agrarian, and liberal political party.
One of Finland‟s four largest parties, jointly with National
Coalition Party, Social Democratic Party and The Finns Party
(True Finns); currently has 35 seats in Parliament of Finland.
Its chairman is Juha Sipilä, who was elected in June 2012 to
succeed ex-PM of Finland Mari Kiviniemi.
Founded in 1906 as Agrarian League; symbolized rural
neighborhoods and backed decentralisation of Helsinki's political
power.
Rose as principal challengers to Social Democratic Party in
1920s, and its first PM, Kyösti Kallio, served in the office four
times between 1922 and 1937.
Emerged as one of four main political parties in Finland after
Second World War.
Urho Kekkonen served as President of Finland from 1956-1982,
lengthiest term served by any president.
The name „Centre Party‟ was taken in 1965 and „Centre of
Finland‟ in 1988.
Was parliament‟s biggest party from 2003-2011, when Matti
Vanhanen was PM for seven years; was diminished in
parliamentary representation from biggest party to fourth biggest.
Its political influence is biggest in small and rural boroughs,
where it regularly has majority of seats in urban commissions.
Is most distinguishing with decentralisation policy.
Has been Finland‟s governing party numerous times since
independence in 1917.
12 PMs and three Presidents of Finland, and current European
Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs have been
associates of the party.
Mother organization of Finnish Centre Youth, Finnish Centre
Students, and Finnish Centre Women.
