From semi-presidentialism to parliamentary government: Political and constitutional developments in Finland

Within the framework of a 'mixed constitution', the Finnish political syste m wavered during a period of 80 years between genuine parliamentarism and e ffective semi-presidential rule. The new constitution, adopted in the parli ament almost unanimously and carried into effect on 1 March 2000, aimed to reduce the powers of the president and to bind the exercise of the presiden t's remaining powers more tightly to the cooperation of the parliamentary g overnment. The constitution will act as a buffer, preventing any recurrence of the presidential activism of the 1960s and 1970s, and the political cli mate is in fact amenable to the further development of parliamentary modes of operation. It is clearly to be expected that the strengthening of the pa rliament-government axis and the reduction of the president's powers will d istance the head of state from the everyday policy making and emphasize his or her role as a support of the government of the time, a moderator in con flicts and a mirror of popular opinion. In the future, the functioning of t he political system will not be directed so much by reference to the politi cal capital and personal activities of the president, but rather by referen ce to the parliamentary constellation, party interrelations and the ebb and flow of governing coalitions.