Presentation of Parliament

Standing on Arcadia Hill, Parliament House welcomes visitors to Helsinki with its monumental appearance. Parliament House has been part of Finland’s national landscape and identity since 1931. It was designed and built by Finns and is a place where Finns work for the common good. Read more »

For nearly a century, MPs elected to Parliament have represented the will of the Finnish people. In the 20th century, parliamentary procedures and practices were adapted to the needs of a changing society through various reforms. The new Constitution of Finland has strengthened Parliament’s role as the supreme organ of state. Read more »

The plenary session is the most visible aspect of Parliament’s work. Less visible, but of central importance is the work done in committees, since reports drafted by committees provide the basis on which Parliament takes nearly all of its decisions. Read more »

The plenary session is a key arena of legislative work and timely political debate. This is where Parliament performs its key task of enacting legislation. Parliament also decides on the state budget, handles Government reports and statements and approves international treaties in plenary session. Read more »

Along with its legislative role, exercising budgetary power is one of Parliament’s basic tasks. Parliament exercises this power by approving the state budget, which outlines revenue and expenditure during the following year. Expenditure is broken down by sector and then by chapter and article. Revenue consists mainly of taxes and is divided into sections. Read more »

The Finnish Parliament plays a strong role in decision-making on EU affairs, compared with many other member states. All the committees handle EU affairs, but Parliament’s positions are generally decided by the Grand Committee. National parliaments are not directly represented in the European Union’s institutions. They participate in decision-making by monitoring and directing their own government’s EU policy, however. Read more »

From 1st of May 2008 Members of Parliament are paid a salary of 5860 euros a month, with the figure rising to 6300 euros after 12 years of service. The Speaker receives 10800 euros and the Deputy Speakers 9000 euros a month. Read more »

According to the Constitution of Finland, sovereign power in Finland belongs to the people, who are represented by Parliament. MPs are elected every four years in general elections. Every citizen who has reached the age of 18 is entitled to vote. Elections are also held to elect the President of the Republic, municipal councils and Members of the European Parliament. Any citizen who is entitled to vote and is not under guardianship can also stand for election. Citizens can influence public policy by voting. Read more »

The new annex of Eduskunta, the parliament of Finland, was completed in June 2004 and inaugurated on September 22 of the same year. The building is designed by Finnish architect Pekka Helin & Co. The main contractor for the building was YIT Rakennus Oy. Read more »