Government of Finland
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Finland
Short Conventional Name
Finland
Long Local Name
Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland
Short Local Name
Suomi/Finland
Government Type
Republic
Capital City
Helsinki
Administrative Divisions
6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani
Independence Day
Thursday, 6th December 1917
Constitutional History
1 March 2000
Legal System
Civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State
President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007)
Cabinet
Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament.
Elections
President elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected 17 April 2007.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms).
Judical Branch
Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president).
Flag Description
White with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag).
