O quadro político da Finlândia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Alexander Stubb  (since 1 March 2024)
Prime Minister: Petteri Orpo (since 20 June 2023)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: 28 January 2030
Parliament: April 2027

Current Political Context

Presidential elections were held in Finland on 28 January 2024, with a second round held on 11 February. Incumbent president Sauli Niinistö was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election, having served the maximum two terms. Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto contested in a runoff on 11 February with Stubb winning 51.6% to Haavisto's 48.4%.
In the elections for the European Parliament in 2024, the populist radical-right Finns Party performed poorly, finishing sixth nationally, exiting with a loss of 6.2% from 2019 in terms of votes and one seat. On the other hand, the centre-right National Coalition Party was the winner with 24.8% of the vote and four seats, whereas the Left Alliance was the second contender with 17.3% and secured three seats.
Concerning its foreign and defence policy, in a historic decision, Finland officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on 4 April 2023. This was in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising security concerns. By the end of 2024, Finland’s conservative-led government has unveiled a broad plan to lift defence spending from USD 6.8 billion in 2025 to USD 11.5 billion in 2032. Finally, in January 2025, Finland assumed the Chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Main Political Parties

Finland has a multi-party system to ensure a single party does not have a chance to gain power alone. Parties work with each other to form coalition governments. The largest parties represented in the parliament following the latest elections include:

- National Coalition Party (KOK): centre-right, liberal conservatism, strongly pro-European. In the 2023 election, the party won 48 seats
- The Finns (PS): left-wing, nationalist. The party advocates for a more restrictive immigration policy and obtained 46 seats in the latest election
- Social Democratic Party (SDP): centre-left, social-democratic party that advocates for social justice, equality, and a strong safety net. It currently holds 43 seats in the parliament
- Centre Party (KESK): centre, wields political influence in smaller agrarian communities
- Green League (VIHR): centre, green politics, liberal
- Left Alliance (VAS): left-wing, social democratic
- Swedish People's Party (RKP): centre, represents the minority of Swedish speaking people in Finland
- Christian Democrats (KD): centre/centre-right
- Movement Now (Liike Nyt): liberal
- For Åland (ÅS): a political alliance of the main Åland parties.

Executive Power

The President of Finland is the Head of State, leader of foreign policy, and the commander-in-chief of the defence forces. He/she is directly elected by absolute majority for a six-year term, renewable once. The President appoints the Prime Minister. The main executive power lies in the Cabinet which is appointed and headed by the Prime Minister. Before the constitutional rewrite completed in 2000, the President enjoyed more power.

Legislative Power

Legislative power is vested in the Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta), with the Government holding limited rights to amend or extend legislation. It is composed of 200 deputies elected for four years by proportional representation. The President has the power of veto over parliamentary decisions although it can be overrun by the parliament.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

2/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Free

Political Freedom:

1/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House