View source for Politics of Finland

{{Short description|none}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox political system
| name                      = Politics of the Republic of Finland
| native_name               = {{small|{{native name|fi|Suomen politiikka}}}}<br />{{small|{{native name|sv|Finlands politik}}}}
| image                     = File:Coat of arms of Finland.svg
| image_size                = 130
| caption                   = [[Coat of arms of Finland]]
| type                      = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republic]]
| constitution              = [[Constitution of Finland]]
| legislature               = ''[[Parliament of Finland|Eduskunta/Riksdagen]]''
| legislature_type          = [[Unicameralism]]
| legislature_place         = [[Parliament House, Helsinki|Parliament House]]
| legislature_speaker       = [[Jussi Halla-aho]]
| legislature_speaker_title = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|Speaker of the Parliament]]
| title_hos                 = [[President of Finland|President]]
| current_hos               = [[Alexander Stubb]]
| appointer_hos             = [[Direct election|Popular vote]]
| title_hog                 = [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]
| current_hog               = [[Petteri Orpo]]
| appointer_hog             = [[President of Finland|President]]
| cabinet                   = [[Finnish Government]]
| current_cabinet           = [[Orpo Cabinet]]
| cabinet_leader            = [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]
| cabinet_appointer         = [[President of Finland|President]]
| cabinet_hq                = [[Government Palace (Finland)|Government Palace]]
| cabinet_ministries        = 12
| judiciary                 = [[Judicial system of Finland]]
| courts                    = [[Judicial system of Finland#General Courts|General Courts]]
}}
{{Politics of Finland}}

The '''politics of Finland''' take place within the framework of a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy]]. [[Finland]] is a [[republic]] whose [[head of state]] is [[President of Finland|President]] [[Alexander Stubb]], who leads the nation's [[foreign policy]] and is the [[Commander-in-chief#Finland|supreme commander]] of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tpk.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=44818&contentlan=2&culture=en-US|title=Position and duties - The President of the Republic of Finland: Position and Duties|website=tpk.fi|language=en-US|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> Finland's [[head of government]] is [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]] [[Petteri Orpo]], who leads the nation's [[Executive (government)|executive]] branch, called the [[Finnish Government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Role of the Prime Minister |url=http://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/government/role-of-the-prime-minister |website=Valtioneuvosto |access-date=21 March 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Legislature|Legislative power]] is vested in the [[Parliament of Finland]] ({{langx|fi|Suomen eduskunta}}, {{langx|sv|Finlands riksdag}}),<ref>{{cite web |title=About Parliament |url=https://www.eduskunta.fi/EN/tietoaeduskunnasta/Pages/default.aspx |website=Parliament of Finland |access-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803071345/https://www.eduskunta.fi/EN/tietoaeduskunnasta/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date= Aug 3, 2018 }}</ref> and the Government has limited rights to amend or extend legislation. The Constitution of Finland vests power to both the President and Government: the President has [[veto]] power over parliamentary decisions, although this power can be overruled by a majority vote in the Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Duties |website=The President of the Republic of Finland |url=http://www.presidentti.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=44821&contentlan=2&culture=en-US#Executive%20power |access-date=21 March 2018 |language=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020159/http://www.presidentti.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=44821&contentlan=2&culture=en-US#Executive%20power |archive-date= Mar 22, 2018 }}</ref>

The [[judiciary]] is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The judiciary consists of two systems: regular courts and administrative courts. The judiciary's two systems are headed by the [[Supreme Court of Finland|Supreme Court]] and the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Finland|Supreme Administrative Court]], respectively. Administrative courts process cases in which official decisions are contested. There is no constitutional court in [[Finland]]: the constitutionality of a law can be contested only as applied to an individual court case.

The citizens of Finland enjoy many individual and political freedoms, and [[suffrage]] is universal at the age of 18; Finnish women became the first in the world to have unrestricted rights both to vote and to run for public office.

The country's population is ethnically homogeneous with no sizable immigrant population. Few tensions exist between the [[Finnish language|Finnish]]-speaking majority and the [[Finland Swedish|Swedish]]-speaking minority, although in certain circles there is an unending debate about the status of the Swedish language.{{Clarify|reason=What circles?|date=March 2018}}

Finland's labor agreements are based on [[collective bargaining]]. Bargaining is highly centralized, and often the government participates to coordinate [[fiscal policy]]. Finland has [[Collective agreement|universal validity of collective labour agreements]] and often, but not always, the trade unions, employers, and the Government reach a [[National income policy agreement (Finland)|national income policy agreement]]. Significant Finnish trade unions include [[Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions|SAK]], [[Finnish Confederation of Professionals|STTK]], [[Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland|AKAVA]], and [[Confederation of Finnish Industries|EK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expat-finland.com/employment/unions.html|title=Finnish Trade Unions: Structure, purpose, and which one to join |website=Expat Finland |access-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015626/https://www.expat-finland.com/employment/unions.html |archive-date= Mar 22, 2018 }}</ref>

{{Democracy Index rating|Finland|full democracy|2022}} According to the [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Finland was in 2023 the 13th most electoral democratic country in the world.<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|Political history of Finland}}

=== Autonomous but under Russian rule ===
[[File:Schauman shoots Bobrikov.jpg|thumb|The assassination of General Governor [[Nikolay Bobrikov]] by [[Eugen Schauman]] was the culmination of activism of the militant wing of the [[Fennoman movement|Fennomans]].]]
A Finnish political identity and distinctively Finnish politics first developed under the Russian rule in the country from 1809 to 1917. During the era Finland had an autonomous position within the [[Russian Empire]] with its own legislative powers. However, all bills had to be signed into law by the Russian Emperor who was the Grand Duke of Finland. Military power was firmly in Russian hands. Previously Finland had been a part of Sweden and did not have any political institutions of its own, rather people of Finnish ethnicity participated in Swedish politics.<ref name="LOC">{{cite book |last1=Solsten |first1=Eric |last2=Meditz |first2=Sandra W. |title=Finland: a country study |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gdc/cntrystd.fi |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |year=1990}}</ref>

=== Independence and civil war ===
The Finnish Senate issued a [[Finnish Declaration of Independence|declaration of independence]] on 6 December 1917, after Russia's second [[October Revolution|revolution in October]] 1917. The [[Council of People's Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia]], chaired by [[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin]], recognized Finland's independence on 31 December 1917, and soon after that many other states followed.

On 28 January 1918, a [[Finnish Civil War|civil war]] broke out that ended in the victory of German-backed [[Whites (Finland)|Whites]] against Bolshevik-backed [[Reds (Finland)|Reds]]. In the same year the volunteers made some [[Heimosodat|armed expeditions]] into Soviet Russia, including Karelia, and also Estonia. The Finnish Civil War was part of the [[First World War]]. The war was fought between the [[Senate of Finland|Finnish Senate]], i.e. the forces led by the government, and the [[Finnish People's Delegation]], from 27 January to 16 May 1918. The Senate forces were called Whites and the People's Delegation forces Reds.

=== Second World War ===
During the Second World War, Finland fought three wars: the [[Winter War]], the [[Continuation War]] and the [[Lapland War]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Professori: Lapin sota on unohdettu, seurauksia kantavat lappilaiset |url=http://www.studio55.fi/tastapuhutaan/article/professori-lapin-sota-on-unohdettu-seurauksia-kantavat-lappilaiset/5541434 |work=Studio 55 |date=2015}}</ref>

According to the ceasefire agreement, in addition to the territorial losses following the Winter War, Finland had to hand over [[Petsamo–Kirkenes offensive|Petsamo]] and lease [[Porkkalanniemi|Porkkala]] as a base for 50 years. War reparations were set at US$300 million. The terms of the ceasefire agreement were finally confirmed in the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty.

=== Urho Kekkonen's rule ===
After the wars, Finland became a [[Nordic model|Nordic welfare state]].

At the beginning of 1973, [[Urho Kekkonen]] was exceptionally elected president without elections or candidates, which today is considered by some{{who|date=June 2024}} to be the {{citation needed span|nadir of Finnish democracy|date=June 2024}} and marked the beginning of the final era for Kekkonen.

=== Integration to the West ===
[[File:President Ronald Reagan meeting with President Mauno Koivisto.jpg|thumb|[[Ronald Reagan]] with [[Mauno Koivisto]] in May 1988]]
In 1982, [[Mauno Koivisto]] was elected president to succeed Kekkonen, promising to reduce the powers of the president and increase those of the prime minister.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raiskila |first1=Erja |title=Statesman from humble background, Mauno Koivisto led Finland into EU |url=https://finland.fi/life-society/statesman-humble-background-mauno-koivisto-led-finland-eu/ |work=thisisFINLAND |date=24 May 2017}}</ref>

The convergence of Finland and the [[European Community]] began in the autumn of 1989 with the decision to join the [[European Economic Area]] (EEA).<ref>{{cite web |title=The European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the North {{!}} Fact Sheets on the European Union {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/169/the-european-economic-area-eea-switzerland-and-the-north |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en |date=30 September 2023}}</ref>

Following a positive vote in Parliament, Finland's application for EC membership was submitted on 18 March 1992, and membership negotiations began on 1 February 1993 at the same time as with [[Sweden]] and [[Austria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European Union - Subject files - CVCE Website |url=https://www.cvce.eu/en/collections/unit-content/-/unit/df06517b-babc-451d-baf6-a2d4b19c1c88/ff4dba1b-7691-48a8-b489-51393c82c951 |website=www.cvce.eu}}</ref>

Finland joined the [[European Union]] in 1995. In 2002, the [[euro]] replaced the [[Finnish markka|markka]] as Finland's official currency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Finland and the euro - European Commission |url=https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/euro/eu-countries-and-euro/finland-and-euro_en |website=economy-finance.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

After almost 30 years of close partnership with [[NATO]], Finland joined the Alliance on 4 April 2023. Finland's partnership with NATO was historically based on its policy of military non-alignment, which changed following [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022.<ref name="nato_int">{{cite web |title=Relations with Finland |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49594.htm |website=nato.int |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> On 1 March 2024, [[Alexander Stubb]], a staunch supporter of NATO, was sworn in as Finland's new president.<ref name="usnews.com">{{cite web |title=Finland's New President Alexander Stubb Says the Nordic Country Enters 'A New Era' as a NATO Member |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2024-03-01/finlands-new-president-alexander-stubb-says-the-nordic-country-enters-a-new-era-as-a-nato-member |website=usnews.com |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref>

==Constitution==
{{main|Constitution of Finland}}
The current version of the constitution of Finland was written on 1 March 2000. The first iteration of the constitution was adopted on 17 July 1919. The original comprised four constitutional laws and several amendments, which the latter replaced.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nousiainen |first=Jaakko |title=The Finnish System of Government: From a Mixed Constitution to Parliamentarism |url=http://oikeusministerio.fi/material/attachments/om/toiminta/laitjalainvalmistelunkehittaminen/6HC1ymikp/Nousiainen_english.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

According to the constitution, the legislative powers are exercised by the Parliament, the governmental powers are exercised by the President of the Republic and the Government, and the judicial powers are exercised by government-independent courts of law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041130111527/http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 November 2004 |title=The Constitution of Finland - unofficial translation |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1999–2011 |website=Finlex |publisher=The Ministry of Justice}}</ref> The Supreme Court may request legislation that interprets or modifies existing laws. Judges are appointed by the President.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikeus.fi/tuomioistuimet/en/index/lautakunnat/tuomarinvalintalautakunta.html |title=Judicial Appointments Board  |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

The [[constitution of Finland]] and its place in the judicial system are unusual in that there is no constitutional court and the Supreme Court does not have the explicit right to declare a law unconstitutional. In principle, the constitutionality of laws in Finland is verified by a simple vote by Parliament (see ''[[parliamentary sovereignty]]''). However, the Parliament's Constitutional Law Committee reviews any doubtful bills and recommends changes, if needed. In practice, the Constitutional Law Committee fulfils the duties of a constitutional court. A Finnish peculiarity is the possibility of making exceptions to the constitution in ordinary laws that are enacted in the same procedure as constitutional amendments. An example of such a law is the State of Preparedness Act, which gives the Government certain exceptional powers in cases of national emergency. As these powers, which correspond to US executive orders, affect constitutional basic rights, the law was enacted in the same manner as a constitutional amendment. However, it can be repealed in the same manner as an ordinary law. In addition to preview by the Constitutional Law Committee, all Finnish courts are obligated to give precedence to the constitution when there is an obvious conflict between the constitution and a regular law. Such a case is, however, very rare.{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}

Some matters are decided by the [[President of Finland]], the Head of State, in plenary meetings with the government, echoing the constitutional history of a [[privy council]]. The President is otherwise not present in the government, but decides on issues such as personal appointments and pardons on the advice of the relevant [[Political minister|minister]]. In the ministries, matters of secondary importance are decided by individual ministers, advised by the minister's [[Secretary of State#Finland|State Secretary]]. The Prime Minister and the other ministers in the government are responsible for their actions in office to the [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]].

==Executive branch==
Finland has a [[parliamentary system]], even if the [[President of Finland]] is formally responsible for [[Foreign policy of Finland|foreign policy]]. Most executive power lies in the [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]] (the [[Finnish Government]]) headed by the [[Prime Minister of Finland|prime minister]]. Responsibility for forming the cabinet out of several political parties and negotiating its platform is granted to the leader of the party gaining largest support in the elections for the parliament. This person also becomes prime minister of the cabinet. Any minister and the cabinet as a whole, however, must have continuing trust of the [[Parliament of Finland|parliament]] and may be voted out, resign or be replaced. The Government is made up of the prime minister and the ministers for the various departments of the central government as well as an ''ex officio'' member, the [[Chancellor of Justice (Finland)|Chancellor of Justice]].

In the official usage, the "cabinet" (''valtioneuvosto'') are the ministers including the prime minister and the Chancellor of Justice, while the "government" (''hallitus'') is the cabinet presided by the president. In the popular usage, ''hallitus'' (with the president) may also refer to ''valtioneuvosto'' (without the president).

===President===
{{main|President of Finland}}

Though Finland has a primarily parliamentary system, the President has some notable powers. The foreign policy is led by the President in co-operation with the government, and the same applies to matters concerning [[national security]]. The main executive power lies in the cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Before the 2000 constitutional rewrite, the President enjoyed more governing power.

Elected for a six-year term, the president:
*Handles [[Foreign relations of Finland|Finland's foreign affairs]] in cooperation with the Cabinet, except for certain international agreements and decisions of [[peace]] or [[war]], which must be submitted to the parliament
*Is [[Commander-in-chief]] of the armed forces
*Has some decree and appointive powers
*Approves laws.
*Formally appoints the [[Prime Minister of Finland]] selected by the Parliament, and formally appoints the rest of the [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] (Government) as proposed by the Prime Minister

===Government===
{{main|Finnish Government}}

The Government is made up of the Prime Minister and other ministers for the ministries of the central government as well as an ''ex officio'' member, the Chancellor of Justice. Ministers are not obliged to be members of [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] and need not be formally identified with any political party.

The Government produces most of the material that the Parliament deals with, such as proposals for new laws or legislative reforms, and the annual budget. The ministers each direct their ministries with relative independence.<ref name="PIF">{{cite web|url=http://finland.fi/life-society/parliamentarism-in-finland/|title=Parliamentarism in Finland|last1=Laine|first1=Jarmo|date=2015|website=This Is Finland|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> The current cabinet has 19 ministers in 12 ministries. The number of ministers can be decided by the Government.

The Prime Minister's Office and eleven other ministries make up the Government of Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/ministries/index.html|title=Ministries|website=Suomi.fi|access-date=20 January 2017}}</ref>

The head of government is the [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]], currently [[Petteri Orpo]]. The Prime Minister designate is subject to election by the Parliament and subsequent appointment by the [[President of Finland]]. All the ministers shall be Finnish citizens, known to be honest and competent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041130111527/http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2004|title=Formation of the Government, Sections 60 and 61|website=Finlex|access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

==== Ministries ====
{{Main|List of Finnish ministries}}
The ministries function as administrative and political experts and prepare Government decisions within their mandates. They also represent their relevant administrative sectors in domestic and international cooperation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/ministries/index.html|title=Ministries|publisher=Finnish State Treasury|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

New laws are drafted in ministries. There is a tradition of substantial ministerial independence in law drafting. The drafts are then reviewed by government and parliament before enactment. The final legislative power is vested in Parliament, in conjunction with the President of the Republic, according to the Finnish Constitution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lainvalmistelu.finlex.fi/en/|title=Law Drafting|website=Finlex|access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

There are 12 ministries in Finland.<ref name="ministries-gov.fi">{{Cite web|url=http://valtioneuvosto.fi/ministeriot/en.jsp|title=Ministries|publisher=Finnish Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610175707/http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/ministeriot/en.jsp|archive-date=10 June 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref> As the government tends to have more ministers than ministries, some ministries, such as the Ministry of Finance, are associated with multiple ministers.
* [[Prime Minister's Office (Finland)|Prime Minister's Office]]
* [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs]]
* [[Ministry of Justice (Finland)|Ministry of Justice]]
* [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of the Interior]]
* [[Ministry of Defence (Finland)|Ministry of Defence]]
* [[Ministry of Finance (Finland)|Ministry of Finance]]
* [[Ministry of Education and Culture (Finland)|Ministry of Education and Culture]]
* [[Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Finland)|Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry]]
* [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Finland)|Ministry of Transport and Communications]]
* [[Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment]]
* [[Ministry of Social Affairs and Health]]
* [[Ministry of the Environment (Finland)|Ministry of the Environment]]

==Parliament==
{{main|Parliament of Finland}}
[[File:Interior of Parliament of Finland.jpg|thumb|Session hall at the [[Parliament House, Helsinki|Parliament House]]]]
The 200-member [[unicameral]] [[Parliament of Finland]] (''Eduskunta'' (Finnish), ''Riksdag'' (Swedish)) is the supreme legislative authority in Finland. The parliament may alter the [[Constitution of Finland]], bring about the resignation of the Government, and override presidential vetoes. Its acts are not subject to judicial review. [[Legislation]] may be initiated by the Government, or one of the members of Parliament, who are elected for a four-year term on the basis of proportional representation through [[open list]] multi-member districts. Persons 18 or older, except military personnel on active duty and a few high judicial officials, are eligible for election. The regular parliamentary term is four years; however, the president may dissolve the eduskunta and order new elections at the request of the prime minister and after consulting the speaker of parliament.

The parliament has, since [[equal and common suffrage]] was introduced in 1906, been dominated by [[National Coalition Party (Finland)|secular Conservatives]], [[Centre Party of Finland|the Centre Party (former Agrarian Union)]], and [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democrats]]. Nevertheless, none of these has held a single-party majority, with the notable exception of [[1916 Finnish parliamentary election|1916 elections]] where Social Democrats gained 103 of the 200 seats. After 1944, [[Communist Party of Finland|Communists]] were a factor to consider for a few decades, and the [[Finnish People's Democratic League]], formed by Communists and others to the left of Social Democrats, was the largest party after [[1958 Finnish parliamentary election|1958 elections]]. Support for Communists decreased sharply in the early 1980s, while later in the same decade environmentalists formed the [[Green League]], which is now one of the largest parties. The [[Swedish People's Party in Finland|Swedish People's Party]] represents the [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Finland-Swedes]], especially in [[language politics]]. The relative strengths of the parties vary only slightly in the elections due to the proportional election from multi-member districts, but there are some visible long-term trends.

There is no [[constitutional court]]; matters concerning constitutional rights or constitutional law are processed by the Constitutional Committee of the Parliament (''perustuslakivaliokunta''). Additionally, the Constitutional Committee has the sole power to refer a case to the [[Judicial system of Finland#High Court of Impeachment|High Court of Impeachment]] (''valtakunnanoikeus'') and to authorize police investigations for this purpose.

In addition to the parliament, the Cabinet and President may produce [[regulation]]s (''asetus'') through a [[rulemaking]] process. These give more specific instructions on how to apply statutes, which often explicitly [[Delegated legislation|delegate regulation of specific details]] to the government. Regulations must be based on existing law, and they can clarify and specify, but not contradict the statute. Furthermore, the rights of an individual must always be based on a statute, not a regulation. Often the statute and the regulation come in similarly named pairs. For example, the law on primary education lists the subjects to be taught, and the regulation specifies the required number of teaching hours. Most of regulations are given by the Cabinet, but the President may give regulations concerning national security. Before 2000, the President had the right to enact regulations on matters not governed by parliamentary law, but this power was removed, and existing regulations were converted into regular statutes by the Parliament.

==Political parties and elections==
{{main|2024 Finnish presidential election|2023 Finnish parliamentary election}}
{{elect|List of political parties in Finland|Elections in Finland}}
[[File:FIN elections 1945 2015.png|600px|thumb|Share of votes (%) of the largest parties in the Finnish parliamentary elections between 1945 and 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tk/he/vaalit/vaalit2003/vaalit2003_vaalitilastot_aspuoluekannatus.html|title=Suurimpien puolueiden kannatus eduskuntavaaleissa 1945 - 2003 (%)|website=tilastokeskus.fi|language=fi|access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stat.fi/til/evaa/2015/evaa_2015_2015-04-30_tau_002_fi.html|title=Puolueiden kannatus eduskuntavaaleissa 1991-2015 (%)|website=stat.fi|language=fi|access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref> Key: [[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]] (KESK), [[Social Democratic Party of Finland]] (SDP), [[National Coalition Party]] (KOK), [[Left Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance]] (VAS), [[Green League]] (VIHR), [[Finns Party]] (PS), [[Swedish People's Party of Finland]] (RKP), [[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]] (KD).]]

Finland's proportional representation system encourages a multitude of [[political party|political parties]] and since about 1980 the trend has been that the same coalition rules for the whole period between elections.

Finland elects on national level a [[head of state]]—the [[President (government title)|president]]—and a [[legislature]]. The president is elected for a six-year term by the people. The [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] has 200 members, elected for a four-year term by [[proportional representation]] in multi-seat [[constituency|constituencies]]. Finland has a [[multi-party]] system, with multiple strong parties, in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and [[political parties|parties]] must work with each other to form [[coalition government]]s.

In addition to the presidential and parliamentary elections, there are [[Elections in the European Union|European Parliament elections]] every five years, and local municipal elections (held simultaneously in every [[municipalities of Finland|municipality]]) every four years.

==Judiciary==
{{main|Judicial system of Finland}}

Finland has a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] system, which is based on Swedish law, with the judiciary exercising limited powers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikeus.fi/en/index/esitteet/olauspetrintuomarinohjeet.html |title= 450-year-old judicial instructions  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 2013 |website=oikeus.fi |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Proceedings are [[Inquisitorial system|inquisitorial]], where judges preside, conduct finding of fact, adjudication and giving of sanctions such as sentences; no juries are used. In e.g. criminal and family-related proceedings in local courts, the panel of judges may include both [[lay judge]]s and professional judges, while all appeals courts and administrative courts consist only of professional judges. Precedent is not binding, with the exception of Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court decisions.

The judicial system of Finland is divided between [[court (judicial)|courts]] with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and [[administrative court]]s with responsibility for litigation between the individuals and the administrative organs of the state and the communities. Finnish law is codified and its court system consists of local courts, regional appellate courts, and the [[Supreme Court of Finland|Supreme Court]]. The administrative branch of justice consists of administrative courts and the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Finland|Supreme Administrative Court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikeus.fi/tuomioistuimet/en/index.html |title= Finnish courts  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=oikeus.fi |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>  The administrative process has more popularity as it is cheaper and has lower financial risk to the person making claims. In addition to the regular courts, there are a few special courts in certain branches of administration. There is also a [[Judicial system of Finland#High Court of Impeachment|High Court of Impeachment]] for criminal charges (for an offence in office) against the President of the Republic, the justices of the supreme courts, members of the Government, the [[Chancellor of Justice (Finland)|Chancellor of Justice]] and the [[Ombudsman#Finland|Ombudsman]] of Parliament.

Although there is no writ of [[habeas corpus]] or [[bail]], the maximum period of pre-trial detention has been reduced to four days. For further detention, a court must order the imprisonment. One does not have the right for one phonecall: the police officer leading the investigation may inform relatives or similar if the investigation permits. However, a lawyer can be invited. Search warrants are not strictly needed, and are usually issued by a police officer. Wiretapping does need a court order.

Finland has a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] (Roman law) system with an inquisitorial procedure. In accordance with the [[separation of powers]], the ''trias politica'' principle, courts of law are independent of other administration. They base their decisions solely on the law in force.<ref name="SANDM3">{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web |url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/index.html |title=State and municipalities |website=suomi.fi |access-date=19 January 2017}} }}</ref> Criminal cases, civil cases and petitionary matters are dealt in 27 district courts, and then, if the decision is not satisfactory to the involved parties, can be applied in six Courts of Appeal. The [[Supreme Court of Finland]] serves as the court of last instance. Appeals against decisions by authorities are considered in six regional [[administrative court]]s, with the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Finland]] as the court of last instance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/courts_of_law/index.html|title=Courts of law|website=Suomi.fi|access-date=20 January 2017}}</ref> The President appoints all professional judges for life. Municipal councils appoint [[lay judge]]s to district courts.

==Administrative divisions==
{{main|Municipalities of Finland}}
{{main|Subdivisions of Finland}}
[[File:Ålands lagting.jpg|thumb|[[Parliament of Åland|Ålands Lagting]], the parliament of the [[Åland|Åland region]], in [[Mariehamn]]]]
Finland is divided into 313 democratically independent municipalities, which are grouped into 70 [[sub-regions of Finland|sub-regions]].<ref name="KN">{{cite web |url= http://www.kunnat.net/fi/tietopankit/tilastot/aluejaot/kuntien-lukumaara/Sivut/default.aspx |title=Kaupunkien ja kuntien lukumäärä     |date=1 January 2016 |website= Kunnat |language=fi|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/meta/luokitukset/seutukunta/001-2013/index_en.html|title=Tilastokeskus - Luokitukset - Sub-regional units 2013 -|website=www.tilastokeskus.fi}}</ref>

As the highest-level division, [[Finland]] is divided into 19 [[Regions of Finland|regions]].<ref name="kk">{{cite web |url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/municipalities_and_local_government/regions_and_municipalities/index.html |title=Regions and municipalities  |date=1 January 2016 |website= Suomi.fi |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

A municipality in Finland can choose to call itself either a "city" or "municipality". A municipality is governed by a municipal council (or a city council) elected by proportional representation once every four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/2015/410 |title=Kuntalaki 4 §, 15§ |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website= Finlex |publisher=Ministry of Justice |language=fi |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Democratic decision-making takes place on either the municipal or national level with few exceptions.

Until 2009, the state organization was divided into six provinces. However, the provinces were abolished altogether in 2010. Today,{{When|date=March 2018}} state local presence on mainland Finland is provided by 6 regional state administrative agencies (''aluehallintovirasto'', ''avi''), and 15 Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (''elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus'', ''ely-keskus''). Regional state administrative agencies have mostly law enforcement, rescue and judicial duties: police, fire and rescue, emergency readiness, basic services, environmental permits and enforcement and occupational health and safety protection. The centres implement labor and industrial policy, provide employment and immigration services, and promote culture; maintain highways, other transport networks and infrastructure; and protect, monitor and manage the environment, land use and water resources.

[[Åland]] is located near the 60th parallel between [[Sweden]] and Finland. It enjoys local [[self-governance|autonomy]] by virtue of an international convention of 1921, implemented most recently in 1951 by the [[Act on the Autonomy of Åland]]. The islands are further distinguished by the fact that they are entirely Swedish-speaking. Government is vested in the provincial council, which consists of 30 delegates elected directly by Åland's citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurooppa-tiedotus.fi/doc/en/publications/oland.pdf |title=Åland in the European Union |editor-last1=Silverström |editor-first1=Sören   |date=2005 |publisher=Europe Information, Ministry for Foreign A airs of Finland|page=13}}</ref>

=== Regional and local administration ===
Finland is divided between six [[Regional State Administrative Agency|Regional State Administrative Agencies]], which are responsible for basic public services and legal permits, such as rescue services and environmental permits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avi.fi/en/web/avi-en/#.WIE0SDJh2Rs|title=Regional State Administrative Agencies|website=avi.fi|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref> The 15 [[Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment|Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment]] (ELY Centres) are responsible for the regional implementation and development tasks of the central government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ely-keskus.fi/en/web/ely-en/|title=Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment|website=ely-keskus.fi|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>

The basic units for organising government and public services in Finland are the [[Municipalities of Finland|municipalities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2009/1698|title=Kuntarakennelaki|website=Finlex|language=fi|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref> As of 2017, there are 311 municipalities, which incorporate the entire country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vm.fi/kuntien-lukumaara|title=Kuntien lukumäärä|website=vm|language=fi|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223021015/http://vm.fi/kuntien-lukumaara|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Indirect public administration ===
Indirect public administration supplements and supports the authorities in managing the tasks of the welfare society.<ref name="SANDM3"/> It comprises organisations which are not authorities, but which carry out public tasks or execute public powers. Examples of this are issuing [[hunting licence]]s or carrying out motor [[vehicle inspection]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/indirect_public_administration/index.html|title=Indirect public administration|website=Suomi.fi|access-date=20 January 2017}}</ref>

=== Wellbeing services counties ===
{{main|Wellbeing services counties of Finland}}

[[Wellbeing services counties of Finland|Wellbeing services counties]] are responsible for organising  [[Health system|health]], [[Social services|social]] and [[emergency service]]s. There are 21 Wellbeing services counties, and the county structure is mainly based on the region structure. Wellbeing services districts are self-governing. They do not have the right to levy taxes. Their funding is based on central government funding. Central government allocates different amounts of funding to the different wellbeing services counties depending on the structure of their population.<ref name="stm-counties-2023">{{cite web|url=https://stm.fi/en/wellbeing-services-counties|title=Wellbeing services counties will be responsible for organising health, social and rescue services on 1 January 2023|website=Ministry of Social Affairs and Health|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>

The county council is the highest decision-making body in the county and is responsible for operations, administration and finance. The delegates and deputy commissioners of the county council are elected in county elections for a term of four years. The number of delegates varies from 59 to 89. It depends on the population of the county.<ref name="stm-counties-2023"/>

==Foreign relations==
{{main|Foreign relations of Finland}}
[[File:Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump & Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki, 16 July 2018.jpg|thumb|From left to right: First Lady [[Melania Trump]] with President [[Donald Trump]], President [[Vladimir Putin]], and President [[Sauli Niinistö]] with his wife [[Jenni Haukio]] during the [[2018 Russia–United States Summit]] in Helsinki.]]
After the second world war, [[Paasikivi–Kekkonen doctrine]] was the foreign policy doctrine which aimed at Finland's survival as an independent sovereign, democratic, and capitalist country in the immediate proximity of the Soviet Union. After the [[history of the Soviet Union (1985-1991)|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, Finland freed itself from the last restrictions imposed on it by the [[Paris Peace Treaties, 1947|Paris peace treaties of 1947]]. The Finnish-Soviet Agreement of Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance (and the restrictions included therein) was annulled but Finland recognised the Russian Federation as the successor of the USSR and was quick to draft bilateral treaties of goodwill as well as reallocating Soviet debts.

Finland deepened its participation in the European integration by joining the [[European Union]] with Sweden and Austria in 1995. It could be perhaps said that the country's policy of neutrality has been moderated to "military non-alignment" with an emphasis on maintaining a competent independent defence. [[Peacekeeping]] under the auspices of the [[United Nations]] is the only real extra-national military responsibility which Finland undertakes.

Finland is highly dependent on foreign trade and actively participates in international cooperation. Finland is a member of the [[European Union]], [[United Nations]] and [[World Bank Group]] and in many of their member organizations.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/finland/ The World Factbook: Finland] (International organization participation) CIA</ref>

Finland-Russia relations have been under pressure with [[2014 Russian annexation of Crimea|annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], which Finland considers illegal. Together with the rest of the European Union, Finland enforces sanctions against Russia that followed. Still, economic relations have not entirely deteriorated: 11.2% of imports to Finland are from Russia, and 5.7% of exports from Finland are to Russia, and cooperation between Finnish and Russian authorities continues.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://formin.finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?nodeid=18156&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI |title=Ulkoasiainministeriö: Maat ja alueet: Kahdenväliset suhteet |access-date=9 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081125023048/http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=18156&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI |archive-date=25 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After almost 30 years of close partnership with [[NATO]], Finland joined the Alliance on 4 April 2023. Finland's partnership with NATO was historically based on its policy of military non-alignment, which changed following [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022.<ref name="nato_int" /> On 1 March 2024, [[Alexander Stubb]], a staunch supporter of NATO, was sworn in as Finland's new president.<ref name="usnews.com"/>

As of May 2023, Finnish exports to Russia had dropped by 78%.<ref>{{cite news |title=Finnish exports to Russia drop by 78%, while EU trade with Central Asia grows |url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/23485-finnish-exports-to-russia-drop-by-78-while-eu-trade-with-central-asia-grows.html |work=Helsinki Times |date=3 May 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Finland|Politics}}
*[[Elections in Finland]]
*[[Flag of Finland]]
*[[Foreign relations of Finland]]
*[[Hate speech laws by country#Finland|Hate speech laws in Finland]]
*[[List of cabinet ministers in Finland who have resigned from their office]]
*[[National income policy agreement]]
*[[Political parties in Finland]]
*[[Politics of Åland]]
*[[Senate of Finland]]

==References==
*{{Country study|country=Finland|abbr=fi|date=1990|first1=Eric |last1=Solsten |first2=Sandra W. |last2=Meditz}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/finland/ Finland] in [[The World Factbook]]
*[http://www.arl-net.de/commin/finland/2-political-system Finland - Political System] ARL

{{Finland topics}}
{{Politics of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Finland}}
[[Category:Politics of Finland| ]]