Parliamentary election
In Finland, people hold the power, and the power is represented by the Finnish Parliament. Every fourth year, on the third Sunday in April, 200 Members of Parliament are elected in a direct, proportional and secret vote. The number of representatives elected from each electoral district is in proportion to the population of the electoral district. In the electoral district of Åland, one representative is always elected.
By voting in the parliamentary election, you can contribute to, for example
- the development of society and issues such as care for the elderly
- the focus areas of the national economy, how public money is spent
- the formation of the Government, a five-party coalition or some other combination
as the Parliament legislates, decides on the State Budget, appoints the Prime Minister, oversees government activities, plays a role in decision making on EU affairs and approves the major treaties that obligate Finland.
Every Finnish citizen who has reached the age of 18 can vote in the parliamentary election, regardless of their place of residence.
Parliamentary election candidates can be nominated by registered political parties and constituency associations established by at least 100 persons entitled to vote. Each party can nominate a maximum of 14 candidates in each electoral district or, if more than 14 candidates are elected from an electoral district, the number of candidates may be, at most, the number of candidates elected from that electoral district. Political parties have the right to form electoral alliances. However, the total number of candidates nominated by electoral alliances may not exceed that of a single party.
Everyone who is not legally incompetent or under the care of a guardian is eligible to vote in the parliamentary election. However, a person holding a military staff position cannot be elected as a Member of Parliament.
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