Europe > Finland > Government

View full size

Administrative divisions 6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani (Southern Finland), Ita-Suomen Laani (Eastern Finland), Lansi-Suomen Laani (Western Finland), Lappi (Lapland), Oulun Laani
Ambassadors from Israel > Current Israeli Ambassadors > Israeli Ambassador	Shemi Zur
ambassadors to the United States > Ambassador	Jukka Robert Valtasaari
Capital city	Helsinki
Capital city > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	60 10 N, 24 56 E
Capital city > Name	Helsinki
Capital city > Time difference UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution	1 March 2000
Copyright > Reference	Art. 43,
Corruption	9.6		[2nd of 160]
Council of EU, 2001 > Country leader	Paavo Lipponen
Council of EU, 2001 > Country votes	3		[12th of 15]
Council of EU, 2001 > European party of leader PES
Council of EU, 2002 > Country leader	Paavo Lipponen
Council of EU, 2002 > Country votes	3		[12th of 15]
Council of EU, 2002 > European party of leader PES
Council of EU, 2003 > Country leader	Paavo Lipponen
Council of EU, 2003 > Country votes	3		[12th of 15]
Council of EU, 2003 > European party of leader PES
Council of EU, 2005 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen
Council of EU, 2005 > Country votes	7		[16th of 25]
Council of EU, 2005 > European party of leader ELDR
Council of EU, 2006 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen
Council of EU, 2006 > Country votes	7		[16th of 25]
Council of EU, 2006 > European party of leader ELDR
Council of EU, 2007 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen
Council of EU, 2007 > Country votes	7		[17th of 27]
Council of EU, 2007 > European party of leader ELDR
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > Country votes	3		[12th of 15]
Council of EU, January–April 2004 > European party of leader ELDR
countries' copyright length > Usual term of copyright protection	70 pma
date of transition to republican system of government > Republic since	November 9, 1918
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Barbara BARRETT
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[358] (9) 6162 5800
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	APO AE 09723
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[358] (9) 616250
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Pekka LINTU
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general	Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 298-6030
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 298-5800
Elections > Head of state	Direct election
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Address	55 Metcalfe St, Suite 850
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Neighbourhood Downtown
European Council > Current composition of the European Council > Title	Prime minister
European Parliament constituency > Comparison with member states without constituencies > per Seat	370k
European Parliament constituency > Comparison with member states without constituencies > Seats	14		[15th of 25]
Executive branch > A note government coalition - SDP, Kok, Leftist Alliance (People's Democratic Union and Democratic Alternative), SFP, and Green League
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament
Executive branch > Chief of state President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
Executive branch > Election results percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti Vanhanen (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71
Executive branch > Elections president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007)
Executive branch > Note government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP
Flag description white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Flag modification	29		[21st of 197]
foreign consulates in Edinburgh, Scotland > Consulate Address Cariden Sawmills, Bo'ness, EH51 9SQ
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	February 19, 1992
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	September 21, 1974
General government final consumption expenditure > annual % growth	1.53 %		[79th of 147]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant 2000 US$	27,789,750,000 constant 2000 US$		[22nd of 145]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant 2000 US$ (per capita)	5,297.221 constant 2000 US$ per c		[8th of 146]
General government final consumption expenditure > constant LCU	30163000000
General government final consumption expenditure > current LCU	35003000000
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$	43,530,650,000 $		[22nd of 169]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per $ GDP)	0.225 $ per $1 of GDP		[23rd of 184]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per capita)	8,297.716 $ per capita		[7th of 184]
Government type	republic
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom Dr Valerie Caton
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom > Resident Heads of Missions > Type	Embassy
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Electoral system	PR (list)
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Party system	Multi
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Strongly bicameral?	No
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? > International comparisons > Structure	Parliamentary
Independence 6 December 1917 (from Russia)
Independence Day > Date	December 6
International organization participation ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)
Key ministers > Defence	Seppo Kaariainen (KESK)
Key ministers > Education Tuula Haatainen (SDP)
Key ministers > Environment	Jan-Erik Enestam (RKP)
Key ministers > Foreign affairs Erkki Tuomioja (SDP)
Key ministers > Interior Kaj Rajamaki (SDP)
Key ministers > Justice Johannes Koskinen (SDP)
Key ministers > Labour Tarja Filatov (SDP)
Key ministers > Transport & communications Leena Luhtanen (SDP)
Legal origin Nordic
Legal system civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)
Legislative branch > Election results percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1
Legislative branch > Elections last held 18 March 2007 (next to be held March 2011)
Mother of the Nation > Name	Tarja Halonen
National holiday Independence Day, 6 December
Parliamentary seats > Female	37%		[2nd of 143]
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > European > party ELDR
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > Leader	Matti Vanhanen
Parties in the Council of the European Union > leaders > Votes	7		[17th of 27]
political parties > Multi party	•
Political parties and leaders Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left Alliance or VAS [Martti KORHONEN] (composed of People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative); National Coalition (conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]
Prime minister	Matti Vanhanen
Procedures to build a warehouse > number	17		[90th of 168]
Procedures to build a warehouse > number (per capita)	3.241 per 1 million people		[69th of 170]
Procedures to enforce a contract > number	27		[120th of 170]
Procedures to enforce a contract > number (per capita)	5.147 per 1 million people		[76th of 171]
Procedures to register property > number	3		[157th of 167]
Procedures to register property > number (per capita)	571.853 per 1 billion people		[89th of 167]
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament > %	38 %		[4th of 174]
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia	6.1.2004
Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia	6.1.2004
Start-up procedures to register a business > number	3		[167th of 171]
Start-up procedures to register a business > number (per capita)	0.572 per 1 million people		[117th of 171]
Status democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Time required to build a warehouse > days	56 days		[167th of 168]
Time required to enforce a contract > days	228 days		[155th of 171]
Time required to register property > days	14 days		[144th of 167]
Time required to start a business > days	14 days		[148th of 171]
Time to prepare and pay taxes > hours	264 hours		[79th of 169]
Time to resolve insolvency > years	0.9 years		[147th of 151]
Total businesses registered > number	250,873		[33rd of 71]
Total businesses registered > number (per capita)	48.125 per 1 million people		[28th of 83]
Trademarks, nonresidents	722		[36th of 99]
Trademarks, nonresidents (per capita)	0.138 per 1 million people		[27th of 146]
Trademarks, residents	2,598		[28th of 98]
Trademarks, residents (per capita)	0.497 per 1 million people		[26th of 142]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands
UN membership date	14 Dec. 1955
United Nations mission http://www.un.int/finland/
Washington, D.C. embassies > Neighborhood	Embassy Row

Interesting facts on Finnish Government

• Got a parking ticket in Finland? Better just pay up - it is the least corrupt nation in the world.

Related links:

• Forum discussion > Government
• Looking for Stats on the American Government? Check out StateMaster
• Stay updated with current stat feeds! Subscribe to the Government RSS / Atom feeds
•  Subscribe to our popular Government factoids RSS / Atom feeds
• Save this page on  del.icio.us / furl / your bookmarks

More facts and figures on Finland