Politiikka ja hallinto Suomessa

Political System

Finland is a democratic republic. The president is elected by a direct national for a six-year term. The current President of Finland is Tarja Halonen (2006–2012).

The Finnish Parliament comprises 200 representatives. The parliamentary term is four years.

The Prime Minister, who is elected by the Parliament, and the other ministers in the cabinet form the Council of State, which wields executive power together with the President.

Finland is a member state of the European Union. Finnish representatives at the European Parliament  are elected for a five-year term.

For more information, please consult Suomi.fi

Central and local government

Central government in Finland is divided into central, regional and local government. Central government consists of the Council of State and the national boards and bodies, for example the Population Register Centre and Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.

Regional and local government consists of public authorities that operate regionally or locally, for example local Register Offices, Provincial State Offices, and Employment and Economic Development Centres. State and municipal authorities are in close contact with one another.

Municipalities in Finland are self-governed. They must guarantee, under law, that local residents have access to certain basic public services. The highest municipal decision-making body is the Municipal Council, whose members are elected by popular vote every four years.

Elections
Democracy and citizen participation
Citizen participation in the municipalities