Government

Under the 2000 constitution, Finland's head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote to a six-year term. The new constitution reduced the powers of the president, who previously was responsible for foreign affairs. The prime minister, appointed by the president from the parliamentary majority and confirmed by parliament, is the head of government. Legislation is handled by the unicameral parliament (Eduskunta), whose 200 members are elected to four-year terms by a system of proportional representation. The country is divided into 6 provinces.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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