 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
||
|
||
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Government and PoliticsPresident - The president is popularly elected to 6-year terms (with a maximum of 2 terms); the current president is (Ms.) Tarja Halonen elected in 2000. See www.president.fi.netcom. The complete list of Finnish presidents from independence in 1917 to date are:
Parliament - The Eduskunta is a 200-member unicameral (single chamber) parliament, whose members are popularly elected to 4-year terms (38% of the members are women). The new government is a coalition of 3 political parties (conservative Centre, left-center Social Democrats, and Swedish Peoples) controlling 58% of members; the other 5 political parties make up the rest. The current prime minister is Mr. Matti Vanhanen Constitution - The first Finnish constitution was adopted in 1919 and established the republican presidential model with a unicameral parliament. Initially, the parliament and prime minister were primarily responsible for the budget and for internal operations, and the president was primarily responsible for foreign policy issues. The current constitution, adopted in 2000, reduces the powers of president who must now consult with the council of ministers in foreign policy matters. Nordic relations - Finland maintains special relations with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Nordic council was established in 1955, creating passport and visa-free movements of citizens, as well as joint research and educational programs. Foreign policy - Finland is active in the European Union. On Finland's initiative, European Union is pursuing a Northern Dimension Policy whose aim is to enhance cooperation with Russia, the Baltic Republics and other Nordic countries in economic management, energy and environment. Finland cooperates with NATO in the Partnership for Peace program, and has participated in or is participating in SFOR/KFOR missions in the Balkans (former Yugoslavia). Annual Finnish budget is approximately $40 billion per year during each of 2003 through 2006.
|
 |
