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1. Main concepts

2. Institutions of representative democracy

Main concepts

In Finland, the rights of all young people to participate in the planning, decision-making, and implementation of policies relevant to young people are recognised at the legislative level in the Finnish Constitution (731/1999) (Perustuslaki, also available in Swedish). Since 2006, the Youth Act (72/2016) (Nuorisolaki, also available in Swedish) has specified youth participation and the right of young people to be heard as a legal obligation. Section 24 of the Act outlines that: 

‘… the local and central government authorities shall offer and organise opportunities for young people to be involved and exert an influence in the processing of issues related to local, regional and nationwide youth work and policies, or otherwise ensure that they are consulted in said contexts. Additionally, young people shall be consulted in matters that affect them.'

In the Finnish context, the Finnish-language term ‘osallisuus’ can be understood as equivalent to participation or inclusion (see YouthWiki/Finland 4.1 General context), depending on the context.  

Institutions of representative democracy

Finland is a centralised parliamentary representative democracy. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, while the President of the Republic has only a limited role. Based on Section 54 of the Finnish Constitution (731/1999) (Perustuslaki, also available in Swedish) the President of the Republic is elected by direct vote. The Government is the highest executive body of the state and consists of the Prime Minister and a required number of ministers. Members of the Government must enjoy the confidence of the Parliament. A party is a registered association that is entered on the party register kept by the Ministry of Justice. As of October 2024, there are seventeen parties registered, nine of whom are represented at parliament.

Local authorities (municipalities and wellbeing services counties, see Glossary) have the responsibility to provide basic services to citizens and ensure that citizens can participate in local decision-making processes, based on the Act on Wellbeing Services Counties (611/2021) (Laki hyvinvointialueesta, also available in Swedish) and the Municipalities Act (410/2015) (Kuntalaki, also available in Swedish). They have self-government based on local democracy and decision-making; municipalities also have the right to levy taxes. In municipalities, the highest decision-making authority is vested in local councils elected by local residents. Local councils also send their representatives to the Regional Council, which is the council of the region’s statutory joint municipal authority (see the  Glossary). 

Section 22 of the Act on Wellbeing Services Counties (611/2021) (Laki hyvinvointialueesta, also available in Swedish) states that county councils “shall be responsible for the wellbeing services county’s activities and finances and shall exercise the wellbeing services county’s power of decision.” From 2025 onwards, county elections have been held in conjunction with municipal elections.

Finland has a multi-party electoral system. Electors (those eligible to vote) vote directly for the person they want to be elected. Voting is voluntary, and a person entitled to vote may vote either 1) in advance or 2) by ballot on election day. Voters may cast their votes at the polling station specified in the voting register and on the polling card sent to them before the election. The Election Act (714/1998) (Vaalilaki, also available in Swedish) creates the legislative basis for how elections are organised.