President of Finland

President of Finland
Suomen Tasavallan Presidentti
Republiken Finlands President

Presidential Standard
Incumbent
Sauli Niinistö
since 1 March 2012
Residence Mäntyniemi
Helsinki
Appointer Popular vote
Term length Six years
renewable once, consecutively
Inaugural holder Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg
26 July 1919
Formation Constitution of Finland
Salary 126,000 €[1]
Website Suomen tasavallan presidentti
Finland
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Finland

The President of the Republic of Finland (Finnish: Suomen tasavallan presidentti, Swedish: Republiken Finlands president) is the nation's head of state. Under the Finnish constitution, executive power is vested in the president and the government, with the president possessing only residual powers. The president is elected directly by the people of Finland 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 Sauli Niinistö.

Officially the head of state is known as the President of the Republic of Finland (Finnish: Suomen tasavallan presidentti; Swedish: Republiken Finlands president) or, more often, the President of the Republic (tasavallan presidentti, republikens president). This is in contrast to the former presidents, who retain the title "President". In other contexts, the generic term for "president" is puheenjohtaja – except for appeals courts and supreme courts where the term presidentti is used.

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 a 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.

If only one candidate is nominated, he or she becomes president without an election. Otherwise, the first round of balloting takes place on the third 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 a 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 1 February or 1 March depending on whether there were one or two rounds).

There have been several exceptional presidential elections. The first president, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, was chosen by the Finnish parliament due to the transition rule of the constitution and also due to the martial law. 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 martial law (1940) and the Continuation War (1943). 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.

 Summary of the 22 January and 5 February 2012 Finnish presidential election results
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Sauli Niinistö National Coalition Party 1,131,254 36.96 1,802,328 62.59
Pekka Haavisto Green League 574,275 18.76 1,077,425 37.41
Paavo Väyrynen Centre Party 536,555 17.53
Timo Soini True Finns 287,571 9.40
Paavo Lipponen Social Democratic Party 205,111 6.70
Paavo Arhinmäki Left Alliance 167,663 5.48
Eva Biaudet Swedish People's Party 82,598 2.70
Sari Essayah Christian Democrats 75,744 2.47
Total valid3,060,771100.02,879,753100.0
Invalid votes9,6580.325,1330.9
Total (turnout 69.74% and 65.98%)3,070,4292,904,886
Source: Ministry of Justice – First round, Second round

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 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.

Duties and powers

The Presidential Palace, Helsinki is the official state residence of the president

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 president's powers were once so broad that it was said Finland was the only real monarchy in northern Europe. However, amendments passed in 1999 reduced his powers somewhat, and the president now shares executive authority with the prime minister.[2]

Mäntyniemi the private residence of the president

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 or she could do so whenever considered 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.

Appointing powers

Presidential Standard of 1944-1946
Presidential Standard of 1920-1944 and 1946-1978
Presidential Standard since 1978

The President appoints:[3]

Most of the appointment process is conducted at the respective ministry: The Office of the President does not process preparations or presentations of the appointment. Nevertheless, presidents have used these powers publicly, even against the internal recommendation of the agency.

In addition, the president appoints or gives commission to:

International relations

The president conducts Finland’s foreign policy in co-operation with the council of state. 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 was transferred to the Helsinki Court of Appeals, and the peculiar arrangement, where the President exercises judicial power, ended. 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 last time this has occurred was in the Second World War. 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.

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, titles of honor are awarded by the president; these include, for example, Professor and different Counsellor titles. These titles are symbolic, carry no responsibilities and have a similar role as knighting in monarchies. The highest titles are valtioneuvos (statesman) and vuorineuvos (industrial).

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.

Compensation

The president receives an annual salary of 160,000 euros. The salary and other benefits are exempt from all taxes.[4]

Presidents of Finland

Living former presidents

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 near Turku.

Incapacity and succession

The president of Finland does not have a 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, the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister are all temporarily unavailable, the most senior minister of the government, in years of service, becomes the acting 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.

Independence Day Reception

The traditional Independence Day Reception (in Finnish: Linnanjuhlat, "the Castle Ball") at the presidential palace on 6 December 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. With the exception of ambassadors, only Finns are invited.

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 night. Similar receptions have been held ever since, though less regularly in the beginning.

Since 1946 the Independence Day reception has taken place at the presidential palace every year with five 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 only a few days prior to the reception. In 1981 it was held at Finlandia Hall after the independence day concert, with Deputy Prime Minister Eino Uusitalo as host, because President Kekkonen had resigned in October and Deputy President Mauno Koivisto was campaigning for president. In 2013, the reception was held at the Tampere Hall in central Tampere, because the presidential palace in Helsinki was undergoing repairs at the time. This was the first time in the history of independent Finland that the reception was held outside Helsinki.

The president and president's 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 Frederick Charles of Hesse), 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. Most significantly, the president can no longer nominate the prime minister or individual ministers independently. For example, this power was previously used to form governments where the party in plurality was excluded. Regarding the right to dissolve parliament, consultation with the prime minister and heads of parliamentary groups was made mandatory before the parliament could be dissolved and new elections ordered. Furthermore, some appointing powers, such as appointment of provincial governors and department heads at ministries, were transferred to the Cabinet of Finland.

Pre-Republican Heads of State

From the date of Finland's independence on 6 December 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. Between May 1918 and July 1919, Finland had two Regents (Finnish: valtionhoitaja, Swedish: stathållare, lit. Care-taker of State) and, for a time, an elected King, although the latter renounced the throne:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Discharging the office of President" (in Finnish). presidentti.fi. 5 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Thompson, Wayne C. (2008). The World Today Series: Nordic, Central and Southeastern Europe 2008. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: Stryker-Post Publications. ISBN 978-1-887985-95-6.
  3. ↑ "Tehtävät - Suomen tasavallan presidentti: Asema ja tehtävät: Tehtävät". Presidentti.fi. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  4. ↑ An Act on the Presidential Salary (in Finnish)
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