Suomen valtiosäännön tulevaisuuden haasteet

Authors

• Voitto Helander

Abstract

The Finnish Constitution has, with several amendments, been valid during three-fourths of century. At present it is challenged in several ways. In this article the principal attention has been paid to three aspects. First, the changes concerning certain aspects of the political constitution are analyzed. The main attention is paid to the role played by the inofficial political actors. In particular the relations of such actors as interest organizations and »market powers» to the political parties are under analysis. Secondly, the future developments between the principal constitutional actors are considered. The present Finnish constitutional dispute between the President of the Republic and the Council of State about the representation of the Finnish Government in EU summits is analyzed. The author believes that instead of a personal conflict between the President and the Prime Minister a more deep-reaching constitutional conflict can be found in the background. A dispute on principle between the executing state organs and, hence, between semi- presidentialism and parliamentarism as state forms is ongoing in the Finnish political system. Thirdly, the consequences of Finland’s joining the European Union are considered. Especially the fact that different interest organizations have proved to have a strong say in the decision-making system of the EU is emphasized.