President of Finland
The Constitution Act of 1919 established the presidential office in Finland. For decades, this document granted the president broad executive powers over foreign policy and domestic appointments. The system functioned as a semi-presidential model where the head of state held significant authority alongside the government. Constitutional amendments adopted in 1991 began to reduce these powers significantly. Further changes arrived with the constitutional revisions of 2000 and 2012. These updates moved the country toward a more parliamentary system. Executive power is now vested in both the Finnish Government and the president, but the latter possesses only residual powers. The president still leads foreign policy in conjunction with the Government. This shift marked a fundamental change from the original design of the office.
Presidential candidates can be nominated by registered parties which have received at least one seat in the previous parliamentary elections. 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 1988 presidential election, a direct and an indirect election were conducted in parallel. Since 1994, the president has been elected by a direct popular vote. If no candidate wins a majority in the first stage, the top two candidates rerun in the second stage two weeks later. The first round of balloting takes place on the fourth Sunday of January in the election year. The president assumes office on the first day of the month following the election. There have been several exceptional presidential elections due to war or political instability. The first president, Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg, was chosen by the Finnish parliament due to transition rules and martial law.
The president of the republic is the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces. The last time this position was delegated occurred during the Second World War to Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. The president commissions officers and decides on the mobilisation of the Defence Forces. Decisions concerning military orders are made by the president in conjunction with the prime minister and the minister of defence. Under the Preparedness Act, the president may issue a decree authorising emergency powers for up to one year at a time. This decree must be submitted to Parliament for its approval. Should existing powers prove inadequate, 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. A state of defence may also be declared in a region of the country. These decrees require parliamentary approval.
The president must sign and approve all bills adopted by Parliament before they become law. The president must decide on ratification within three months of receiving the bill. He 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 bill. Presidential vetoes are generally successful in preventing a bill from becoming law. In single cases, the president has the power of pardon from a penalty imposed by a court. General pardon requires an act of parliament. In autumn 2006, the regular paroling of convicts serving life sentences was transferred to the Helsinki Court of Appeals. The presidential power of giving pardon is retained but used sparingly. In 2022 the Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion interpreting bans on business operations as criminal sanctions.
From the declaration of Finland's independence on the 6th of December 1917 until May 1918, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud served as head of state. Between May 1918 and July 1919, Finland had two regents and briefly elected a king who never took office. Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse renounced the throne on the 4th of December after Germany's defeat in World War I. Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim served as Regent from the 12th of December 1918 to the 26th of July 1919. Both Svinhufvud and Mannerheim later served as president of Finland. In 1944 special legislation directly stipulated that Marshal Mannerheim be elected president for six years after Risto Ryti resigned mid-term. In 1946, special legislation empowered Parliament to choose a successor for the remainder of Mannerheim's term. Then Prime Minister Juho Kusti Paasikivi was elected president by Parliament. In 1973, special legislation extended President Urho Kekkonen's term by four years until 1978.
Common questions
When was the presidential office in Finland established?
The Constitution Act of 1919 established the presidential office in Finland. This document granted the president broad executive powers over foreign policy and domestic appointments for decades.
How is the president of Finland elected today?
Since 1994, the president has been elected by a direct popular vote. The first round of balloting takes place on the fourth Sunday of January in the election year.
Who served as the first president of Finland?
Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg was chosen as the first president due to transition rules and martial law. He was selected by the Finnish parliament rather than through an electoral college or direct vote.
What are the military powers of the president of Finland?
The president of the republic is the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces. Decisions concerning military orders are made by the president in conjunction with the prime minister and the minister of defence.
Can the president of Finland refuse laws passed by Parliament?
Presidential vetoes are generally successful in preventing a bill from becoming law. The president must decide on ratification within three months of receiving the bill.