Eduskunta (Parliament)

The national parliament of Finland, composed of 200 members elected every four years through proportional representation.

What it means

Eduskunta is Finland's unicameral (single-chamber) parliament, located in Helsinki. It is the supreme legislative authority in Finland, responsible for enacting laws, approving the state budget, and overseeing the government. Members of Parliament (kansanedustajat) are elected in a general election held every four years, with all Finnish citizens aged 18 and over eligible to vote.

Why it matters for internationals

While non-citizens cannot vote in parliamentary elections, the laws passed by Eduskunta directly affect everyone living in Finland — including immigration policy, taxation, employment law, and social services. Understanding how Finnish legislation works helps internationals navigate their rights and obligations. EU citizens and permanent residents can vote in municipal elections, but parliamentary voting requires Finnish citizenship.

Key details

• •200 members: Elected from 13 electoral districts using proportional representation

• •Election cycle: General elections held every four years; the next one determines coalition government composition

• •Coalition system: Finland typically has multi-party coalition governments, meaning several parties share power

• •Location: The Parliament House (Eduskuntatalo) is on Mannerheimintie in central Helsinki and offers public tours

• •Transparency: Parliamentary sessions and committee meetings are largely public, with documents available at eduskunta.fi

Related terms

• •Hallitus — the government/cabinet formed after elections

• •Kunnanvaltuusto — municipal council, the local equivalent

• •Kansalaisuus — citizenship required to vote in parliamentary elections