2. Introduction to Finlands politicalsystem 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 governments
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 laws
legitimacy can be determined only as relevant to a single court
case.
3. Introduction to Finlands politicalsystem 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
Swedens law. Supreme Court (Finnish: korkein oikeus (KKO), Swedish:
hgsta domstolen) may ask for legislation that interpret or changes
existing laws. President nominates judges.
5. Executive Branch Even though foreign policy is formally
presidents 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 PMs domain. Simultaneously,
communication with other state leaders makes up directing foreign
policy, which is presidents 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 States resignation, and
overrule presidential vetoes. Its acts cannot be placed under the
judicial reviews 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 PMs 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 Peoples
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 Peoples Party represents Finlands 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.
11. Parliament of Finland
12. European Parliament
13. Registered political parties National Coalition Party
(Kansallinen Kokoomus; Samlingspartiet, Kok.) Christian Democrats
of Finland (Suomen Kristillisdemokraatit; Kristdemokraterna i
Finland, KD) True Finns (Perussuomalaiset; Sannfinlndarna, PS)
Centre Party (Suomen Keskusta; Centern i Finland, Kesk.) Swedish
Peoples 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; Vnsterfrbundet, Vas.)
Green League (Vihre liitto; Grna frbundet, Vihr.)
14. Extra parliamentary parties For the Poor (Kyhien Asialla;
Fr de fattigas vl, Koch.) Independence Party (Itsenisyyspuolue;
Sjlvstndighetspartiet, IPU) Workers Party of Finland (Suomen
tyvenpuolue; Finlands Arbetarparti, STP) Pirate Party
(Piraattipuolue; Piratpartiet, PP) Change 2011 (Muutos 2011;
Frndring 2011, M11) Freedom Party (Vapauspuolue (VP) Suomen
tulevaisuus; Frihetspartiet, VP) Communist Party of Finland (Suomen
kommunistinen puolue; Finlands kommunistiska parti, SKP)
15. Sauli Niinist 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
Peoples 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 Siilinjrvi. Current
PM of Finland; took office 22 June 2011. Also current chairman of
National Coalition Party. Grew up in Siilinjrvi and was a part-time
instructor, becoming member of the Siilinjrvi 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 Peoples 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 Peoples Party. Was named as Europes
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 Heinluoma 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 partys 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 Lipponens 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 Finlands 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 Peoples
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 parliaments 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 ofFinland 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 states original policies. Is
currently present in PM Jyrki Katainens current cabinet. The partys
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 Finlands 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 Niinists 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 parliaments
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 partys leader since 1997. Received 19.1% of
vote in 2011 parliamentary election, becoming third biggest party
in Finlands parliament; it is currently parliaments 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; partys 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 Finlands 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 Sipil, 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 Helsinkis political power. Rose as principal challengers to
Social Democratic Party in 1920s, and its first PM, Kysti 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 parliaments
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 Finlands 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.
22. Support for parties in 2007 and 2011parliamentary
elections
