Tarja Halonen, the current president of Finland (2000 - present)

Flag of the President of Finland

Finland This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Finland Image File history File linksMetadata Tarja_Halonen_2004. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Tarja_Halonen_2004. ... Tarja Kaarina Halonen (IPA: ) (born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland) is the President of Finland. ... Image File history File links Presidential_Standard_of_Finland. ... Image File history File links Presidential_Standard_of_Finland. ... Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Finland. ... Finland has a primarily parliamentary system, although the president also has some notable powers. ... Constitution Government President Tarja Halonen Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva Parliament Council of State Elections: Parliamentary: 2003 - 2007 Presidential: 2006 Political parties Politicians Provinces (läänit) Municipalities (kunta) Foreign relations Human rights EU Politics Other countries · Politics Portal view • talk • edit

The President of Finland is the Head of State of Finland. Under the Constitution of Finland, executive power is vested in the President and the government, with the President possessing extensive powers. The President is elected directly by the people for a term of six years. Since 1991, no President may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. The President must be a native-born Finnish citizen. The office was established by the Constitution Act of 1919. The current office-holder is President Tarja Halonen. Tarja Kaarina Halonen (IPA: ) (born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland) is the President of Finland. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... Matti Taneli Vanhanen ( ) (born November 4, 1955, in Jyväskylä) is the current Prime Minister of Finland, as well as Chairman of the Centre Party. ... The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland (in Finnish Ulkoasiainministeri, in Swedish Utrikesminister) handles Finlands Foreign affairs. ... Ilkka Armas Mikael Kanerva (born 28 January 1948) is the current Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland (since 2007). ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: StatsrÃ¥det) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ... Politics of Finland See also [[List of political parties in Åland|political parties in Åland]]. Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Finland | Finnish politics ... The 2003 Finnish parliamentary election was held on Sunday, 16 March 2003, with the aim of determining the composition of the Finnish parliament, or Eduskunta, for the parliamentary period between 2003 and 2007. ... The 2007 Finnish parliamentary election was held on March 18, 2007. ... The 2006 Finnish Presidential election saw the reelection of Tarja Halonen as President of Finland for a second six-year term. ... Political parties in Finland lists political parties in Finland. ... Finland consists of 6 provinces (Finnish: läänit, Swedish: län). ... The municipalities (kunta in Finnish, kommun in Swedish) represent the local level of administration in Finland and act as the fundamental administrative units of the country. ... Finland’s basic foreign policy goal, from the end of the Continuation War with the U.S.S.R. in 1944 until 1991, was to avoid great-power conflicts and to build mutual confidence with the Soviet Union. ... Human rights in Finland are protected by extensive domestic safeguards, in addition to the countrys active membership in most international human rights treaties. ... The European Union or EU is a supranational and international organization of 27 member states. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... For the constitution of the Grand Duchy of Finland see: Swedish Constitution of 1772 The Constitution of Finland (in Finnish, Suomen perustuslaki, or in Swedish, Finlands grundlag) is the supreme source of national law of Finland. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Citizenship in Finland can be obtained on the basis of birth, marriage of parents, adoption, or the place of birth. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Tarja Kaarina Halonen (IPA: ) (born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland) is the President of Finland. ...

Officially the President is known as President of the Republic of Finland (Suomen tasavallan presidentti in Finnish; Republiken Finlands President in Swedish) or President of the Republic. This is in contrast to the former presidents, who retain the title "President".

Election

Candidates for president can be nominated by registered parties which have received at least one seat in the preceding parliamentary election. A candidate may also be nominated by 20,000 enfranchised citizens. Between 1919 and 1988, the President was elected indirectly by an electoral college made up of electors chosen by voters in the presidential election. In the 1988 presidential election, a direct and an indirect election were conducted in parallel: if no candidate could gain majority, the President was elected by an electoral college formed in the same elections. Since 1994, the President has been elected by a direct popular vote. An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ...

If only one candidate is nominated, he or she becomes President without an election. Otherwise, the first round of balloting takes place on the second Sunday of January in the election year. The elections are two-staged. If one of the candidates receives more than half of the votes cast, he or she is elected President. If no candidate wins the majority in the first stage, the top two candidates rerun in the second stage three weeks later. The candidate who then receives more votes is elected. In the event of a tie, the election is resolved by lot. The Council of State confirms the outcome of the election and, if necessary, conducts the drawing of lots. The President assumes office on the first day of the month following the election (either February 1 or March 1 depending on whether there were one or two rounds). Runoff voting is a voting system used in single-seat elections. ... The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ...

There have been several exceptional presidential elections. The first President, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, was chosen by the Parliament due to the transition rule of the constitution. In 1940 and 1943, the 1937 electoral college chose the President, as it was felt that a popular election could not be arranged due to the Continuation War. In 1944 special legislation directly stipulated that Marshal Mannerheim be elected President for six years after Risto Ryti had resigned mid-term. In 1946, special legislation empowered the Parliament to choose a successor for the remainder of Mannerheim’s term (until 1950), the latter having resigned. Parliament then chose Prime Minister Juho Kusti Paasikivi as President. In 1973, special legislation extended President Urho Kekkonen’s term by four years until 1978, when he was re-elected regularly. Kaarlo Juho StÃ¥hlberg (January 28, 1865 - September 22, 1952) was the first President of Finland (1919-1925) and a Nationalist Liberal. ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... Combatants  Finland Germany  Soviet Union Commanders C.G.E. Mannerheim Kirill Meretskov Leonid Govorov Strength 250,000 (total 530,000) Finns[1] + 100,000 (total 220,000) Germans 650,000 (total estimates 900,000-1,500,000)[2] Casualties 58,715 dead or missing 158,000 wounded 1,500 civilian... This article is about the Finnish statesman and Commander-in-Chief. ... Risto Heikki Ryti (February 3, 1889 - October 25, 1956) was the president of Finland from 1940 to 1944. ... Juho Kusti Paasikivi (November 27, 1870 – December 14, 1956) was President of Finland from 1946 to 1956. ... Urho Kekkonen Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (September 3, 1900–August 31, 1986) was a Finnish politician who served as Prime Minister of Finland (1950-1953, 1954-1956) and later as President of Finland (1956–1981) and is many times referred as first dictator of Finland. ...

Tarja Kaarina Halonen (IPA: ) (born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland) is the President of Finland. ... The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is one of the most influential political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the Coalition Party. ... Sauli Niinistö Sauli Väinämö Niinistö (born August 24, 1948, Salo, Finland) is a Director at the European Investment Bank, a lawyer, former Finnish finance minister and was the Kokoomus candidate in the 2006 presidential election. ... The National Coalition Party (Kansallinen Kokoomus or Samlingspartiet) is a political party in Finland. ... Matti Taneli Vanhanen ( ) (born November 4, 1955, in Jyväskylä) is the current Prime Minister of Finland, as well as Chairman of the Centre Party. ... The Centre Party (in Finnish: Suomen Keskusta, ) is a centrist political party in Finland. ... Heidi Anneli Hautala (born 14 November 1955 in Oulu) is a Finnish politician. ... The Green League (Finnish: Vihreä liitto, Swedish: Gröna förbundet), is a green political party in Finland. ... Timo Juhani Soini (born 30 May 1962 Rauma, Finland) is the leader of the True Finns party and, since 2003, a member of the Parliament of Finland. ... True Finns (Perussuomalaiset in Finnish or Sannfinländarna in Swedish) is a small party in Finland, founded in 1995 on the ruins of The Finnish Rural Party. ... Johan Bjarne Kallis (born March 21, 1945 in Kokkola) is the former chairman of the Christian Democratic Party (KD), previously known as the Finnish Christian Coalition (SKL), and a member of the Parliament of Finland. ... The Christian Democrats (Kristillisdemokraatit or Kristdemokraterna) is a political party in Finland. ... Henrik Lax Henrik Lax (born on 6 May 1946 in Helsinki) is a Finnish politician and Member of the European Parliament with the Swedish Peoples Party, Member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and sits on the European Parliaments Committee on Civil... The Swedish Peoples Party (Swedish: ; Finnish: ) is a Swedish speaking minority and mainly liberal party in Finland. ... Arto Lahti (born 3 May 1949 Merikarvia, Finland) is an independent nominee for the Finnish presidential elections 2006. ...

Inauguration

The President-elect, accompanied by the Speaker of the Parliament and the outgoing President, assumes office on the first day of the month following the election by making a solemn affirmation in both Finnish and Swedish at a ceremony in Parliament House. The affirmation is specified in Section 56 of the Constitution: The Speaker of the Parliament of Finland (Finnish Eduskunnan puhemies, Swedish Riksdagens talman), along with two Deputy Speakers, is elected by Parliament during the first plenary session each year. ... Eduskuntatalo The Eduskuntatalo (in Finnish), or the Riksdagshuset (in Swedish), is the building in which the Parliament of Finland meets. ...

• In Finnish: "Minä N.N., jonka Suomen kansa on valinnut Suomen tasavallan presidentiksi, vakuutan, että minä presidentintoimessani vilpittömästi ja uskollisesti noudatan tasavallan valtiosääntöä ja lakeja sekä kaikin voimin edistän Suomen kansan menestystä."

• In Swedish: "Jag N.N., som av Finlands folk har valts till president för republiken Finland, försäkrar att jag i utövningen av presidentämbetet redligt och troget skall följa republikens konstitution och lagar samt efter all min förmåga främja det finska folkets välfärd."

• In English: "I, N.N., whom the people of Finland have elected President of the Republic of Finland, affirm that in the execution of my office as President I shall sincerely and faithfully observe the Constitution and laws of the Republic and to the best of my ability promote the success of the Finnish people."

The term of the President-elect begins and that of their predecessor ends at the moment the solemn affirmation has been made (about 12:20 on the day of the inauguration). After the inauguration, the new President, accompanied by his or her predecessor, inspects the Guard of Honour outside Parliament House.

The President is formally styled as His/Her Excellency the President of the Republic of Finland (Suomen Tasavallan Presidentti; Republiken Finlands President). A style of office, or honorific, is a form of address which by tradition or law precedes a reference to a person who holds a title or post, or to the political office itself. ...

Duties and powers

The President’s functions and powers are directly defined in the Constitution. In addition to those specified there, the President also discharges functions assigned to him or her in other laws. Under the Constitution of Finland, executive power is vested in the President and the Council of State, which must enjoy the confidence of Parliament. This principle is reflected in other provisions of the Constitution concerning the President’s functions and powers dealing with legislation, decrees, and appointment of public officials. Custom dictates that the President upon taking office renounce any party affiliation, so that he or she may be seen as neutral in regard to party politics. The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ...

Presidential Sessions of the Government

The President of the Republic makes official decisions during Presidential sessions of the Government, which are usually held at 11am every Friday. The President takes decisions in these sessions on the basis of a presentation by the minister to whose portfolio the item for decision belongs. Presidential sessions are chaired by the President.

All the ministers attend presidential sessions of the Government. Also present are the Chancellor of Justice or the Deputy Chancellor of Justice, plus the Secretary to Government Sessions, who keeps the minutes. As the President of the Republic alone takes the decisions at presidential sessions, no vote is taken on business presented. During the summer, presidential sessions are not held every week, and they may also be held at Kultaranta, the President's summer residence in Naantali. Kultaranta (Finnish), Gullranda (Swedish), is the summer residence of the President of Finland. ... Naantali (Swedish Nådendal, Latin Vallis Gratiae - valley of grace), city in south-western Finland, known as the probably most important tourist centre of the country. ...

Ordering premature parliamentary elections

Upon the proposal of the Prime Minister, the President may, having consulted the parliamentary groups and while Parliament is in session, order the holding of premature parliamentary election. The new Parliament is chosen for a normal four-year term. Parliament itself may decide when to end its session before the election day. From 1919 to 1991 the President’s power to order a premature election was unqualified and he could do so when he considered it necessary. Presidents have ordered premature parliamentary elections on seven occasions. The President declares each Annual Session of Parliament open and closes the last Annual Session. This is done in a speech at each opening and closing ceremony.

Appointing and discharging ministers

The Prime Minister and other members of the government are appointed and discharged by the President. After parliamentary elections or in any other situation where the Government has resigned, the President, taking into account the result of consultations between the parliamentary groups and having heard the view of the Speaker, submits to Parliament his or her nominee for Prime Minister. If confirmed by Parliament with a majority of the votes cast, the President then proceeds to appoint the Prime Minister and other ministers designated by him or her. The President is constitutionally required to dismiss a Government or any minister as soon as they have lost the confidence of Parliament. The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ...

Appointing powers

The President appoints:

• Governor, and other Members of the Board of the Bank of Finland
• Provincial Governors
• Chancellor of Justice and the Vice-Chancellor of Justice
• Prosecutor-General and the Vice Prosecutor-General
• Permanent Under-Secretaries of State, the highest appointed officials in each ministry
• The Permanent Secretary and Under-Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the inspector of embassies, and the ambassadors (heads of embassies)
• Heads of central agencies

Presidents have used these powers publicly, even against the internal recommendation of the agency. The Bank of Finland, Helsinki, with the statue of Johan Vilhelm Snellman in front. ...

In addition, the Presidents appoints or gives commission to:

• Officers of the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard
• Permanent judges, including Presidents and Members of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, Presidents and Members of the Courts of Appeal and Administrative Courts of Appeal

The Finnish Defence Forces (Finnish Puolustusvoimat; Swedish Försvarsmakten) is a cadre army of 16500, of which 8700 professional soldiers (officers), with a standard readiness strength of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). ... The Border Guard (Finnish: Rajavartiolaitos, Swedish: Gränsbevakningsväsendet) of Finland is the Finnish security authority responsible for the border security. ...

International relations

The President conducts Finland’s foreign policy in co-operation with the Government. The provisions of treaties and other international obligations that affect domestic legislation are implemented by acts of Parliament. Otherwise, international obligations are implemented by a Presidential decree. Decisions on war and peace are taken by the President with the assent of Parliament.

Legislation

The President must sign and approve all acts adopted by Parliament before they become law. He or she must decide on ratification within three months of receiving the act and may request an opinion from the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court before giving assent. Should the President refuse assent or fail to decide on the matter in time, Parliament reconsiders the act and can readopt it with a majority of votes cast. The act will then enter into force without ratification. If Parliament fails to readopt the act, it is deemed to have lapsed. Presidential vetoes are generally successful in preventing the bill becoming law.

Presidential pardon

In single cases, the President has the power of pardon from any imprisonment, fine, or forfeiture. General pardon requires an Act of Parliament.

The power of pardon has effectively become the instrument to limit "life imprisonments" to 12 years or more, since successive Presidents have eventually given pardon to all felons. The President, however, retains the power to deny pardon. In autumn 2006, the regular paroling of convicts serving a life sentence power will be transferred to the Helsinki Court of Appeals, and the peculiar arrangement, where the President exercises judicial power, will end. The presidential power of giving pardon is, however, retained, although its use will diminish.

Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, but may delegate this position to another Finnish citizen. Delegation of the position of Commander-in-Chief is an exception to the principle that the President cannot delegate functions to others. The President commissions officers and decides on the mobilisation of the Defence Forces. If Parliament is not in session when a decision to mobilise is taken, it must be immediately convened. As Commander-in-Chief the President has the power to issue military orders concerning general guidelines for military defence, significant changes in military preparedness and the principles according to which military defence is implemented. The Finnish Defence Forces (Finnish Puolustusvoimat; Swedish Försvarsmakten) is a cadre army of 16500, of which 8700 professional soldiers (officers), with a standard readiness strength of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). ...

Decisions concerning military orders are made by the President in conjunction with the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defence. The President decides on military appointments in conjunction with the Minister of Defence.

Emergency Powers

Under the Preparedness Act, in exceptional circumstances the President may issue a decree authorising the Government to exercise emergency powers for up to one year at a time. The decree must be submitted to Parliament for its approval. Should the powers available under the Preparedness Act prove inadequate in an emergency, additional powers can be assumed under the State of Defence Act. The President may declare a state of defence by decree for a maximum of three months initially. If necessary, it can be extended for a maximum of one year at a time. A state of defence may also be declared in a region of the country. The decree must be submitted to Parliament for approval.

Decorations

The President, as Grand Master, awards decorations and medals belonging to the Order of the White Rose of Finland, the Order of the Lion of Finland and the Order of the Cross of Liberty to Finnish and foreign citizens. Likewise, Presidential titles are awarded by the president; these include, for example, Professor and Counsellor. There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the White Rose of Finland (Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunta) and the Order of the Lion of Finland. ... There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the White Rose of Finland and the Order of the Lion of Finland (Suomen Leijonan ritarikunta). ... There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the White Rose of Finland and the Order of the Lion of Finland. ...

Speeches

The President makes a number of important public speeches and statements each year. The most notable of these are the annual New Year’s Speech on 1 January, and the speech at the opening of each annual session of Parliament.

List of Presidents of Finland

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg (January 28, 1865 - September 22, 1952) was the first President of Finland (1919-1925) and a Nationalist Liberal. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... This article is part of or related to the Liberalism series Categories: Finnish political parties | Historical liberal parties | Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Lauri Kristian Relander (May 31, 1883 – February 9, 1942) was the President of Finland from 1925 to 1931. ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on January 18 1815 (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... The Centre Party (Finnish: Suomen Keskusta) is a centrist political party in Finland. ... The Centre Party (in Finnish: Suomen Keskusta, ) is a centrist political party in Finland. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (December 15, 1861 – February 29, 1944) was the President of Finland from 1931 to 1937. ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The National Coalition Party (Kansallinen Kokoomus or Samlingspartiet) is a political party in Finland. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Regent, from the Latin, a person selected to administer a state because the ruler is a minor or is not present or debilitated. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Statue of K. Kallio in Helsinki Kyösti Kallio (April 10, 1873 – December 19, 1940) was the fourth President of Finland (1937-1940), having already served no fewer than four times as the countrys Prime Minister. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... December 19 is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Centre Party (Finnish: Suomen Keskusta) is a centrist political party in Finland. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Risto Heikki Ryti (February 3, 1889 - October 25, 1956) was the president of Finland from 1940 to 1944. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 19 is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... This article is part of or related to the Liberalism series Categories: Finnish political parties | Historical liberal parties | Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Image File history File links Portrait_of_C.G.E._Mannerheim. ... This article is about the Finnish statesman and Commander-in-Chief. ... Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Regent, from the Latin, a person selected to administer a state because the ruler is a minor or is not present or debilitated. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Juho Kusti Paasikivi (November 27, 1870 – December 14, 1956) was President of Finland from 1946 to 1956. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Coalition Party (Kansallinen Kokoomus or Samlingspartiet) is a political party in Finland. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Urho Kekkonen Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (September 3, 1900–August 31, 1986) was a Finnish politician who served as Prime Minister of Finland (1950-1953, 1954-1956) and later as President of Finland (1956–1981) and is many times referred as first dictator of Finland. ... Year 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Centre Party (Finnish: Suomen Keskusta) is a centrist political party in Finland. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Finnish political parties | Nordic Agrarian parties ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1670x2446, 692 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Mauno Koivisto ... Dr. Mauno Henrik Koivisto [IPA: mɑuno henrik koiʋisto] (born November 25, 1923) was the President of Finland from 1982 to 1994. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is one of the most influential political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the Coalition Party. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An electoral college is a set of electors, who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect a candidate to a particular office. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File linksMetadata President_Martti_Ahtisaari_2004. ... Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari (IPA: ) (born June 23, 1937) is a former President of Finland (1994–2000) and a UN diplomat and mediator, noted for his international peace work. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is one of the most influential political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the Coalition Party. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Tarja_Halonen_2004. ... Tarja Kaarina Halonen (IPA: ) (born December 24, 1943, in Helsinki, Finland) is the President of Finland. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) is one of the most influential political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the Coalition Party. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Living former Presidents

Currently, there are two living former Presidents of the Republic:

• Mauno Koivisto, ninth President of Finland
• Martti Ahtisaari, tenth President of Finland

Dr. Mauno Henrik Koivisto [IPA: mɑuno henrik koiʋisto] (born November 25, 1923) was the President of Finland from 1982 to 1994. ... Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari (IPA: ) (born June 23, 1937) is a former President of Finland (1994–2000) and a UN diplomat and mediator, noted for his international peace work. ...

Official Residences

The President has the use of three properties for residential and hospitality purposes: the Presidential Palace and Mäntyniemi, both in Helsinki, and Kultaranta in Naantali on the west coast. The Presidential Palace in Helsinki (in Finnish Presidentinlinna; in Swedish Presidentens slott), is the official residence in Helsinki of the President of the Republic of Finland. ... Mäntyniemi (Talludden in Swedish), is one of the three official residences of the President of Finland besides the Presidential Palace and Kultaranta. ... Founded 1550 Country Finland Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Area[1] - Of which land - Rank 185. ... Kultaranta (Finnish), Gullranda (Swedish), is the summer residence of the President of Finland. ... Naantali (Swedish Nådendal, Latin Vallis Gratiae - valley of grace), city in south-western Finland, known as the probably most important tourist centre of the country. ...

Incapacity and succession

The President of Finland has no vice president. If the President is temporarily prevented from performing his or her duties, the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister becomes Acting President until the President’s incapacity ceases. If the President dies or if the Government declares that the President is permanently unable to carry out his or her duties, a new President is elected as soon as possible. If the President and the Prime Minister are both temporarily unavailable, the most senior ministers of the government, in years of service, become Acting Presidents. A vice president is an officer in government or business who is next in rank below a president. ...

Impeachment

If the Chancellor of Justice, the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Council of State deem that the President of the Republic is guilty of treason or high treason, or a crime against humanity, the matter shall be communicated to the Parliament. If the Parliament, by three fourths of the votes cast, decides that charges are to be brought, the Prosecutor-General prosecutes the President in the High Court of Impeachment and the President abstains from office for the duration of the proceedings. The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ...

The Independence Day reception

The traditional Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace on December 6 is one of the key annual events in the Presidential calendar. It originated as a celebration of Finland's national independence and pride, and although nowadays it is seen by some as a glorified social party, the reception is broadcast every year on television and draws a large viewing audience. The number of guests invited has varied from about 1,600 to 2,000. December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The history of the Independence Day reception stretches back to 1919, when the first afternoon reception was held at the Presidential Palace. In 1922, President and Mrs Ståhlberg hosted the first evening reception at the Presidential Palace, with the reception beginning at nine o' clock. Guests included the Government, diplomats, Members of Parliament, high-ranking officers, senior civil servants, artists and other prominent people. Music and dancing were on the programme and the reception lasted until late at night. Similar receptions have been held ever since, though less regularly in the beginning. The Presidential Palace in Helsinki (in Finnish Presidentinlinna; in Swedish Presidentens slott), is the official residence in Helsinki of the President of the Republic of Finland. ... Kaarlo Juho StÃ¥hlberg (January 28, 1865 - September 22, 1952) was the first President of Finland (1919-1925) and a Nationalist Liberal. ...

Since 1946 the Independence Day reception has taken place at the Presidential Palace every year with four exceptions. In 1952 it was cancelled on account of President Paasikivi's illness. In 1972 it was held at Finlandia Hall in connection with the Independence Day concert, with the Prime Minister as host, because the Presidential Palace was being renovated. In 1974 it was cancelled on account of the death of President Kekkonen's wife. In 1981 it was held at Finlandia Hall after the Independence Day concert, with Deputy Prime Minister Eino Uusitalo as host, because President Kekkonen was in poor health. Finlandia Hall Finlandia Hall is a concert hall with a congress wing in Helsinki, by Töölönlahti bay. ...

The President and their spouse greet the guests individually in the State Hall at the beginning of the evening. Later on there is dancing, with music provided by the Guards Band. There is also a traditional buffet.

History

After Finland's independence and the Civil War in Finland the matter of whether Finland should be a republic or a constitutional monarchy was much debated (see Väinö I of Finland), and the outcome was a compromise: a rather monarchy-like, strong presidency with great powers over Finland's foreign affairs, the appointment of the Council of State and the officers of the civil service. The Constitution was changed in 2000, to redistribute some of this power to the Parliament and the Council of State. The new constitution specifies how the principles of Parliamentarism are to be followed (although Finland's presidents have done so since 1937 nonetheless). The Civil War in Finland was fought from January to May 1918, between the Reds (punaiset), i. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A republic is a form of government maintained by a state or country whose sovereignty is based on popular consent and whose governance is based on popular representation and control. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... ... Finland’s basic foreign policy goal, from the end of the Continuation War with the U.S.S.R. in 1944 until 1991, was to avoid great-power conflicts and to build mutual confidence with the Soviet Union. ... The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ... The Byzantine civil service in action. ... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ...

Pre-Presidential Heads of State

From the date of Finland's independence on December 6, 1917 until the end of the Finnish Civil War in May 1918, Per Evind Svinhufvud was the head of state of White Finland in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate. His counterpart in the Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic was Otto Ville Kuusinen. Between May 1918 and July 1919, Finland had two Regents (or Protectors of State) and, for a time, an elected King, although the latter renounced the throne: December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Combatants Whites: White Guards, German Empire, Swedish volunteers Reds: Red Guards, Russian SFSR Commanders C.G.E. Mannerheim Ali Aaltonen, Eero Haapalainen, Eino Rahja, Kullervo Manner Strength 80,000–90,000 Finns, 550 Swedish volunteers, 13,000 Germans[1] 80,000–90,000 Finns, 4,000–10,000 Russians[1... White Finland is an often-used term referring to one of the two parties in the Finnish Civil War (January to May 1918), the other one being the Reds, or the Finnish Socialist Workers Republic. ... The Senate of Finland combined the functions of cabinet and supreme court in the Grand Duchy of Finland between 1816 to 1917. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Otto Ville (Wilhelm) Kuusinen (known in Russian as Отто Вильгельмович Куусинен) (1881–1964) was a Finnish and Soviet politician, literature historian, and poet, who after the defeat in the Finnish Civil War fled to Bolshevist Russia, where he worked until his death. ... Regent, from the Latin, a person selected to administer a state because the ruler is a minor or is not present or debilitated. ...

• Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, Regent (May 18–December 12, 1918)
• Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, elected as King of Finland on October 7, 1918 but never took office and renounced the throne on December 4 after Germany's defeat in World War I – he had not time enough to arrive in Finland before the political climate changed following the end of the war. It is said that his regnal name was to be Väinö I of Finland ('Väinö' obviously referring to Väinämöinen, one of the main characters in the Finnish national epic Kalevala), but due to there not being contemporary records of this name it is widely considered a popular misbelief, probably created by columnist Väinö Nuorteva.

• Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, Regent (December 12, 1918–July 27, 1919)

Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (December 15, 1861 – February 29, 1944) was the President of Finland from 1931 to 1937. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (139th in leap years). ... December 12 is the 346th day (347th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 19 days remaining. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... December 4th redirects here. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... A regnal name, or reign name, is a formal name used by some popes and monarchs during their reigns. ... Illustration from the Kalevala, by Akseli Gallen-Kallela 1896. ... The Kalevala is an epic poem which Elias Lönnrot compiled from Finnish folk lore in the 19th century. ... This article is about the Finnish statesman and Commander-in-Chief. ... December 12 is the 346th day (347th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 19 days remaining. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

See also

• Finnish presidential election, 2006
• List of Finnish rulers
• Prime Minister of Finland
• Politics of Finland
• Parliament of Finland
• Government of Finland
• Council of State
• Elections in Finland
• Political parties in Finland
• Lists of incumbents

The 2006 Finnish Presidential election saw the reelection of Tarja Halonen as President of Finland for a second six-year term. ... This is a list of rulers of Finland, that is, the Kings, ruling Dukes and Queen of Sweden with Regents and Viceroys of the Kalmar Union, the Grand Dukes of Finland (identical with the Tsars of Russia), up to the brief Kingdom of Finland at independence in 1918. ... The Prime Minister (Finnish Pääministeri, Swedish: Statsminister) is the head of government in Finland. ... Finland has a primarily parliamentary system, although the president also has some notable powers. ... The Eduskunta (in Finnish), or the Riksdag (in Swedish), is the Parliament of Finland. ... Finland is a republic with a representative democracy governed according to the principles of Parliamentarism. ... The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finlands cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. ... Politics of Finland See also [[List of political parties in Åland|political parties in Åland]]. Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Finland | Finnish politics ... Political parties in Finland lists political parties in Finland. ... These are lists of incumbents, i. ...

External links

• Official site
• The Constitution of Finland