Eduskunta

The Eduskunta (in Finnish) or the Riksdag (in Swedish) is the Parlement Unicaméral of the Finland. It counts 200 Député S and seat in a building called Eduskuntatalo with Helsinki, the capital.

History

When the Parliament monocaméral of Finland was created in 1906, Finland was only one autonomous Grand Duchy pertaining to the Russia tsarist. Previously, there was a Diet of Finland which had succeeded Riksdag of the General states in 1809.

The building of the Parliament ( Eduskuntatalo ) was drawn by Johan Sigfrid Sirén and was finished in 1931.

Constitution

The Constitution of the July 17th 1919 declares that Finland is a sovereign République in which the capacity belongs to the people which exert it via his agents in Eduskunta.

The representation Proportionnelle was adopted in Finland as of 1906 and did not result in to split the parties ad infinitum, as it is sometimes the case in other countries.

All the Finns of more than 18 years can vote and be eligible (except for the military personnel in service and of some legal officers). The term of the mandate is four years (it was 3 years a long time) but the President can dissolve Eduskunta and require of new elections on request of the Prime Minister and after consultation of the president of Eduskunta.

The laws are discussed on a proposal from the Council of State or the members of Parliament.

Historical political parties

the Swedish Popular party ( Svenska Folkpartiet ): who defends the material and cultural interests of the population of Swedish language - it obtained regularly from 22 to 25 deputies of 1919 to 1930;
the Left unionistic Finnish which was formed in 1918 by grouping preserving middle-class elements and which represented the banking and industrial mediums, clergy and upper middle classes - it obtained from 28 to 42 deputies of 1919 to 1930;
the Left progressist or Left the progress, which also goes back to 1918 is liberal - democratic. For a long time, he collaborated with the Agrarian ones for a center policy - he obtained only 7 to 26 deputies (in 1919) for the same period, in strong lose speed;
the agrarian Parti (1910) is also a democratic party and radical but which takes care especially of the interests of the farming population, while being nationalist: it is the principal party, just after the social democrats, of 1919 to 1930 (from 42 to 60 deputies). It is the Parti the Center (Finland) after 1965);
the social democrat Parti Finland (founded in 1899) is a party Social-démocrate, opposed to the Communisme - it was since 1919 the Finnish principal party (78 deputies in 1919 - 66 deputies in 1930);
the Communist party of Finland (in 1922 dissolves), it had been reformed under the name of Parti of the workmen and the small farmers - but entirely pledged with Moscow, it is again interdict in 1930. Of 1919 with 1929, it had Député S in Eduskunta (2 in 1919,27 in 1922,18 in 1924,20 in 1928 and 23 in 1929).

Political principal parties

The social democrat Parti Finland is in general supported by the Working class urban. But it is also supported by small farmers and professionals.

The 2 other important political parties in Finland are the Parti the Center, traditionally representing the rural interests, and the Kansallinen Kokoomus, conservative party, supported mainly by the community of the businesses and for the urban professionals.

The Left alliance, is the rival on the left social democrat party. It was formed in May 1990 and gathered several other parties, of which the Communist party of Finland.

A newcomer, the green Ligue represents the Greens in Finland.

Current majority

The system proportional encourages a Multipartisme, which leads to coalition governments.

At the time of the legislative elections of the March 16th 2003, two parties dominated the results:

Center or Keskusta (KESK) with 55 deputies;
Left social democrat Finland with 53 deputies.

They were combined to train with the Svenska Folkpartiet a cabinet of coalition.

Results of the elections of 2003

The last legislative elections took place the March 16th 2003 (the next ones will be held in 2007). Seats by party, with the names of the parties in Finnish and Swedish, the two official languages in Finland:

55 (Left the center) (Keskusta, Centern)
53 (Left social democrat) (Sosiaalidemokraattinen Puolue, Socialdemokratiska Partiet)
40 (Left the national coalition) (Kokoomus, Samlingspartiet)
19 (Left alliance) (Vasemmistoliitto, Vänsterförbundet)
14 (the Green League) (Vihreä liitto, Gröna förbundet)
9 (Swedish Popular party) (Ruotsalainen Kansanpuolue, Svenska Folkpartiet) with the deputy of the islands Åland
7 (Christian-Democrats) (Kristillisdemokraatit, Kristdemokraterna)
3 (True Finns) (Perussuomalaiset, Sannfinnarna)

Internal bonds

electoral Districts of Finland: charts of the 15 electoral districts

External bonds

Parliament of Finland - Official site, in French
History of Eduskunta
the result of the elections in Eduskunta since 1945

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