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Parliament name (generic / translated) Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1920 - LEADERSHIP President Paula Risikko (F)  Notes Elected on 5 Feb. 2018. Secretary General Maija-Leena Paavola (F)  Notes 1 Jan. 2016 - COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 200 / 200 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 84 (42.00%) Mode of designation directly elected 200 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 19 April 2015 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Parliament of Finland Mannerheim str. 30 00102 HELSINKI (Export mailing lists) Phone (358 9) 43 21 Fax (358 9) 432 35 29 E-mail int.dep@parliament.fi Website http://www.parliament.fi/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 10 February 1998 Mode of designation directly elected 200 Constituencies - 14 multi-member (6 to 33 seats) provincial constituencies - 1 single-member constituency (province of Aland) Voting system Proportional: - 199 members are elected in 14 constituencies by proportional representation. Seats are distributed among the individual parties, or alliances of several parties, in accordance with the d'Hondt method. For the distribution of seats within each list, candidates are ranked according to the number of personal votes they have polled. - one member is elected by simple majority vote in the province of Aland Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by individuals who are "next in line" on the list of the party which formerly held the seat. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Finnish citizenship CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - ineligibility: persons under guardianship, active military service Incompatibilities - Chancellor of Justice and his/her deputy - Ombudsman of Parliament and his/her deputy - Prosecutor General - Members of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court Candidacy requirements - nomination by registered political party or constituency association of at least 100 voters (30 in the province of Aland)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 19 April 2015 Timing and scope of renewal The Centre Party (KESK) led by IT millionaire Juha Sipila became the largest party with 49 seats in the 200 member parliament. It was followed by the nationalist Finns Party (formerly "True Finns"), led by Mr. Timo Soini. The four parties in the outgoing government led by the National Coalition Party (KOK) (see note) took a total of 85 seats. On 29 April, President Sauli Niinistö opened the newly elected Parliament. On 29 May, it approved a coalition government led by Mr. Sipila, comprising KESK, Finns Party and KOK. The 2015 elections were held as the country entered its fourth year of recession, due mainly to the slow-down in its two main industries: mobile phones and timber. It was further damaged by the turbulence in Russia, a major trading partner. During the election campaign, parties focused on ways to boost the economy and the possibility of an additional bailout plan for Greece. Note: The government formed by Mr. Jyrki Katainen in 2011 comprised six parties: The National Coalition Party (KOK), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Left Alliance (Vas), Swedish People's Party (RKP), the Green League (Vihr) and the Christian Democrats (KD). Mr. Alexander Stubb succeeded Mr. Katainen as Prime Minister in June 2014. Mr. Stubb's coalition government initially comprised the same parties except for the Left Alliance (Vas), but after the Green League withdrew from the government in September 2014, the coalition comprised only four parties: the KOK, the SDP, the RKP and the KD. Date of previous elections: 17 April 2011 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 22 April 2015 Timing of election: Upon normal expiry Expected date of next elections: April 2019 Number of seats at stake: 200 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 2,146 (1,301 men, 845 women) Percentage of women candidates: 39.4% Number of parties contesting the election: 16 Number of parties winning seats: 8 Alternation of power: Yes Number of parties in government: 3 Names of parties in government: Centre Party (KESK), Finns Party (PS) and the National Coalition Party (KOK) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 29 April 2015 Name of the new Speaker: Ms. Maria Lohela Finns Party, PS) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 19 April 2015 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 4'221'237 2'957'163 (70.05%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Center Party (KESK) The Finns Party (PS) National Coalition Party (KOK) Social Democratic Party (SDP) Green League (Vihr) Left Alliance (Vas) Swedish People's Party (RKP) Christian Democrats (KD) Others Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Center Party (KESK) 49 The Finns Party (PS) 38 National Coalition Party (KOK) 37 Social Democratic Party (SDP) 34 Green League (Vihr) 15 Left Alliance (Vas) 12 Swedish People's Party (RKP) 9 Christian Democrats (KD) 5 Others 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 117 83 41.50% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: Parliament (27.05.2015, 29.05.2019, 01.01.2017) http://web.eduskunta.fi/Resource.phx/pubman/templates/56.htx?id=7419 http://tulospalvelu.vaalit.fi/E-2015/en/aanestys1.html

Parliament name (generic / translated) Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of Parliament Term - duration: 1 year (election of the Speaker takes place at the first sitting following the general elections during the first year of the legislature and thereafter every year in February, one day before the opening session of the Eduskunta) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death Appointment - elected by all Members of Parliament - the election is held every year at the first sitting of the year - after members' mandates have been validated Eligibility - any Member of Parliament may be a candidate Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - an absolute majority is required for the first two rounds; the candidate who has obtained the largest number of votes is elected in the third round. In case of a tie, lots are drawn Procedures / results - the senior Member presides over Parliament during the voting - the senior Member supervises the voting - the senior Member announces the results without delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of the State - represents Parliament with the authorities - is ex officio Chairperson of the Speaker's Council and the Parliamentary Offices Committee - represents Parliament in international bodies - in the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy Speakers can assume his/her role and functions Board - the Speaker's Council consists of the Speaker, the two Deputy Speakers and the chairpersons of the 14 parliamentary committees - his/her term is one year - generally meets 1/2 hour before plenary sittings - is only responsible for assisting and supporting the Speaker Material facilities NA (no information received) FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - has made recommendations to set speaking time - refers texts to a committee for study Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning Parliament, sometimes aided by the Clerk - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of Parliament - has discretionary power to give the floor to an MP outside the agenda only during Question Hour Special powers - recruits, assigns and promotes staff as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Office Committee - can play an important role in the organization of the services of Parliament - may be responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in Parliament Speaking and voting rights, other functions - signs laws before transmitting them to the Head of State for enactment - may refuse to take up or put a matter to a vote; in such cases, the matter can be referred to the Constitutional Committee for resolution - must be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (S. 11 of the Parliament Act) Start of the mandate · When the results are declared. Procedure (S. 9, 90, and 95 of the Electoral Act). Validation of mandates · Validation by the Chancellor of Justice or by Parliament, or, in case of challenge by election appeals, by a court (S. 23 and 24 of the Parliament Act) · Procedure (S. 23 and 24 of the Parliament Act, S. 3 and 63 of the Procedure of Parliament) End of the mandate · When the results of new elections are declared Can MPs resign? No · See 10 (1) of the Parliament Act). Exceptions (S. 10 (1) of the Parliament Act · Procedure (S. 10 (1) of the Parliament Act, S. 63 of the Procedure of Parliament, S. 88 and 91 (2) of the Electoral Act) · Authority competent to accept the resignation: Parliament Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter: - Sentence to imprisonment for certain offences (S. 8 (4) and 17 (2) of the Parliament Act) - Loss of mandate for not attending sessions of Parliament (S. 17 (1) of the Parliament Act) - General procedure (S. 63 of the Procedure of Parliament) (b) Loss of eligibility (S. 8 (1) in connection with S. 7 of the Parliament Act) (c) Loss of mandate for incompatibilities (S. 8 (2) and 9 of the Parliament Act) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: 1. The Speaker 2. The Deputy Speakers 3. The chairpersons of parliamentary committees 4. The other MPs · Outside Parliament: the official order of precedence ranks the Speaker in the 2nd position. Indemnities, facilities and services · Official passport · Basic salary (S. 16 (1) and (2) of the Parliament Act): in accordance with years of service + Expense Allowance: percentage of basic salary + Expense Allowance for the Speaker: FIM 5,000 (ECU 880/USD 1,100) per month + Holiday pay (in July): FIM 8,500 to 10,800 (ECU 1,500 to 1,900/USD 1,900 to 2,400) depending on length of service · No exemption from tax for the basic salary. The Expense Allowance for the Speaker is tax exempt. For the Expense Allowance for regular MPs, see Expense Allowance - Percentage of basic salary. · Pension scheme (S. 16 (3) of the Parliament Act) · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat (b) Assistants (see also S. 8 and 9 of the Procedure of Parliament) (c) Official car for the Speaker (d) Postal and telephone services (e) Travel and transport (S. 16 (1) of Parliament Act) (f) Others Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (S. 13 of the Parliament Act; see also S. 57 (3) of the Parliament Act). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. (Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament.) · Derogations: waiver of immunity by Parliament by a majority vote of five-sixths of the votes cast; offence or insult (S. 58 of the Parliament Act, see Discipline). · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (S. 14 (1) of the Parliament Act). · It covers all offences and protects MPs from arrest, from being held in preventive custody, and from being subjected to a travel ban before the charges against them have been taken up for consideration. In other cases, the Speaker shall be immediately informed of the apprehension and detention. · Derogations: when being caught in flagrante delicto, committing an offence for which the minimum penalty is a period of imprisonment not less than six months, MPs can be apprehended. The Speaker shall be immediately informed (S. 14 of the Parliament Act). · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (S. 14 (1) of the Parliament Act): - Competent authority: Parliament EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. It consists of familiarisation courses. · It is provided by the Central Office of Parliament and by parliamentary groups. · Handbooks of parliamentary procedure: - Parliamentary Memorandum Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings and committee meetings. For leave of absence, see S. 64 of the Procedure of Parliament. · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation: - Plenary sittings: forfeiture of the whole or a part of the salary, loss of mandate (S. 17 (1) of the Parliament Act) - Committee meetings: forfeiture of the whole or a part of the salary, forfeiture of membership of the committee (S. 51 (3) of the Parliament Act) · Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties: Parliament Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in S. 55 (1) and 58 of the Parliament Act and S. 39 of the Procedure of Parliament. · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Call to order (S. 58 of the Parliament Act) - Warning for irrelevance (S. 39 of the Procedure of Parliament) - Denial of the floor (S. 58 of the Parliament Act, S. 39 of the Procedure of Parliament) - Admonition and warning (S. 58 of the Parliament Act) - Suspension from Parliament (S. 58 of the Parliament Act) - Bringing of charges against an MP in a court of law (S. 58 of the Parliament Act) · Specific cases: - Offence or insult (S. 58 of the Parliament Act): call to order, denial of the floor, admonition and warning, suspension from Parliament, bringing of charges against an MP in a court of law · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (S. 55 (1) of the Parliament Act): - Call to order, warning for irrelevance, denial of the floor, offence or insult: the Speaker - Admonition and warning, suspension from Parliament, bringing of charges against an MP in a court of law, offence or insult: Parliament The admonition and warning are imposed by the Speaker. · Procedure (S. 58 of the Parliament Act and S. 39 of the Procedure of Parliament) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 5 February 2018
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