Government and Constitution
Finland has been an Independent Republic since December 6, 1917. Before that it was a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. And before that it was part of Sweden.
Finland is a Western democracy, with a President elected for a 6-year term (with a maximum of two terms), and a 200-member, single-chamber parliament elected every four years by direct elections on the basis of proportional representation. In the last election (April 2011), the seats were divided as follows:
National Coalition Party: 44
Social Democratic Party of Finland: 42
True Finns: 39
Centre Party of Finland: 35
Centre Party of Finland: 35
Left Alliance: 14
The Green League: 10
Swedish People's Party in Finland: 10
Christian League of Finland: 6
Government: The Government as of summer 2011 is a coalition of the National Coalition Party, Social Democratic Party, the Green League, Swedish People's Party, Left Alliance and Christian League. The Prime Minister is Mr. Jyrki Katainen. Nine of the 19 ministerial posts are held by women.
The Green League: 10
Swedish People's Party in Finland: 10
Christian League of Finland: 6
Government: The Government as of summer 2011 is a coalition of the National Coalition Party, Social Democratic Party, the Green League, Swedish People's Party, Left Alliance and Christian League. The Prime Minister is Mr. Jyrki Katainen. Nine of the 19 ministerial posts are held by women.
President: The President is elected for a six-year term. The president for the current term (until February 28, 2012) is Ms Tarja Halonen.
Parliament House in Helsinki
|