The current territory of Finland became part of the Kingdom of Sweden at least from the late 13th century onwards. In 1809 Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy in the Russian Empire until the end of 1917, whence it became an independent republic. Following a decision by the League of Nations in 1921, the Åland Islands between Sweden and Finland was made an autonomous and de-militarised territory. Finland joined the European Union in 1995.
Parliamentary history of Finland
The four Estate Riksdag of Sweden (1527-1809)
As an integrated part of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Finnish-speaking counties were represented in the Swedish four Estates Riksdag on an equal footing as the Swedish-speaking counties.
The four Estate Lantdag or MAAPÄIVET of Finland (1809-1907)
As the Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire was established in 1809, Finland kept the Swedish Riksdag Act of 1723. However, the Estates met on the request of the Russian emperor instead of the Swedish king, and under the name of Lantdag instead of Riksdag. Furthermore, the calls from the Russian emperor were often far apart.
The Eduskunta (1907-)
In 1907 the Lantdag established a new 200 member directly elected unicameral legislative – the Eduskunta or the Riksdag – with universal and equal suffrage. The members of the Eduskunta are elected on party lists through proportional representation in multi-member constituencies.
Between 1908 and 1916 the power of the Finnish Parliament was almost completely neutralized by the Russian emperor. The Parliament was dissolved and new elections were held almost every year.
The Finnish Parliament received true political power for the first time after the February revolution in Russia in 1917. Finland declared its independence on December 6, 1917 and became a republic with a parliamentary system in 1919. In order to appease the monarchist parties, which favoured a strong head of state, extensive powers were granted to the President of Finland.
The powers of the Parliament were greatly increased in the constitutional reform of 1991. The revised 2000 draft of the constitution removed almost all domestic powers of the President, strengthening the position of the cabinet and the Parliament.
Elections in Finland
1907 l 1908 l 1909 l 1910 l 1911 l 1913 l 1916 l 1917 l 1919 l 1922 l 1924 l 1927 l 1929 l 1930 l 1933 l 1936 l 1939 l 1945 l 1948 l 1951 l 1954 l 1958 l 1962 l 1966 l 1970 l 1972 l 1975 l 1979 l 1983 l 1987 l 1991 l 1995 l 1999 l 2003 l 2007 l 2011 l 2015 l 2019 l 2023