Eduskunta

Eduskunta
Name	Eduskunta
Native name	Suomen eduskunta, Finlands riksdag
Legislature	Parliament of Finland
House type	Unicameral
Foundation	9 May 1906
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Jussi Halla-aho
Election1	12 June 2023
Leader2 type	First Deputy Speaker
Leader2	Paula Risikko
Election2	12 June 2023
Members	200
Political groups1	Government (108), National Coalition Party (48), Finns Party (46), Swedish People's Party (9), Christian Democrats (5), Opposition (92), Social Democratic Party of Finland (43), Centre Party (23), Left Alliance (11), Green League (13), Movement Now (1), Åland Coalition (1)
Voting system1	Proportional representation
Last election1	2 April 2023
Meeting place	Eduskuntatalo, Helsinki
Website	https://www.eduskunta.fi

Eduskunta. The national legislature of Finland, operating as a unicameral parliament. Established by the Parliament Act of 1906 under the Grand Duchy of Finland, it was one of the first parliaments in the world to adopt universal suffrage. It convenes in the distinctive Eduskuntatalo in the capital city of Helsinki.

History

The institution was created by Tsar Nicholas II amidst the political turmoil of the Russian Revolution of 1905. Its first election in 1907 saw pioneers like Miina Sillanpää and Lucina Hagman take their seats. Following the Finnish Declaration of Independence in 1917, it became the supreme legislative body of the new republic, navigating the bitter divisions of the Finnish Civil War. During the Second World War, it maintained continuity through the Winter War and Continuation War. The post-war era was dominated by the Paasikivi–Kekkonen doctrine and the politics of Urho Kekkonen, with significant constitutional reforms enacted in 2000 shifting more power from the President of Finland.

Composition and elections

It consists of 200 representatives elected for a four-year term. Elections are conducted using a system of proportional representation within 13 multi-member constituencies, including the autonomous Åland Islands. The D'Hondt method is used to allocate seats, with a threshold of 3% of the national vote required for a party to gain representation. Notable recent elections include the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election and the 2023 Finnish parliamentary election. The Ministry of Justice oversees the electoral process.

Powers and functions

Its primary constitutional duties are legislating, approving the state budget, and overseeing the Government of Finland. It elects the Prime Minister of Finland and can dismiss the entire government through a vote of no confidence. It ratifies international treaties like those of the European Union and declares a state of war. Alongside the President of Finland, it shares authority over Finnish Defence Forces operations. It also appoints key officials such as the Chancellor of Justice and the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Parliamentary groups

Members organize into political groups, which are crucial for committee assignments and speaking time. The current largest groups are the National Coalition Party and the Finns Party, which lead the governing coalition with the Swedish People's Party of Finland and the Christian Democrats (Finland). The main opposition groups include the Social Democratic Party of Finland, the Centre Party (Finland), the Green League, and the Left Alliance (Finland). Smaller groups like the Movement Now and the Åland Coalition also hold representation.

Parliamentary offices and administration

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, a position held by Jussi Halla-aho. The Speaker is assisted by Deputy Speakers, including Paula Risikko. The work is prepared in standing committees such as the Finance Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. The administration is led by the Secretary-General of the Parliament of Finland, with the Parliamentary Office providing legal and research support through bodies like the Library of Parliament (Finland).

Building

The session hall is located in the Eduskuntatalo, a seminal work of Functionalist architecture designed by Johan Sigfrid Sirén and completed in 1931. Situated in the Töölö district of Helsinki, the granite building is flanked by the Mannerheimintie avenue and faces the Kiasma museum. Its iconic columned facade and streamlined interior, including the Session Hall of the Parliament of Finland, are national landmarks. The complex also includes the adjacent Pikkuparlamentti and is served by the Helsinki Metro's Kansaneläkelaitos station.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Finland Category:Unicameral legislatures