Finland is a Republic with a representative democracy governed according to the principles of Parliamentarism. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament of Finland. Executive affairs of government are decided by the Council of State, which is lead by a Prime Minister. Some matters are decided by the President of Finland in plenary meetings with the Council of State, echoing the constitutional history of a Privy Council. The President of the Republic is otherwise not present in the Council, but decide on issues of personal appointments and pardon on the advice of the relevant minister. In the ministries, matters of secondary importance are decided by individual ministers, advised by the minister's State Secretary.
The Prime Minister and the other ministers in the Council of State are responsible for their actions in office to the Parliament of Finland.

Head of Government

Main article: Prime Minister of Finland

:Head of Government: Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (since 2003)
: Council of State: Ministers are appointed by the President upon the nomination of the Prime Minister and confirmed by Parliament
:Elections: The Prime Minister designate is appointed by the President of Finland and then confirmed by Parliament
:Election results: Matti Vanhanen was elected Prime Minister in June 2003, continuing the coalition government between the Centre Party (KESK), the Social Democrats (SDP), and the Swedish People's Party, which was established by his predecessor following the General Election in 2003.

See also

*Politics of Finland
*Parliament of Finland
*President of Finland
*Minister of Foreign Affairs
*Minister of Justice
*Minister of Finance
*Government of Åland
*Municipalities of Finland
*Government Agencies in Finland
*Comprehensive Income Policy Agreement

*Elections in Finland
*Senate of Finland

External links

*Finnish Government's web service

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