Enemmistöjä

Enemmistöjä is the plural form of enemmistö, a Finnish noun meaning majority. In political and organizational decision-making, an enemmistö refers to a group, coalition, or side that holds more than half of the votes or seats in a body, enabling it to influence or determine outcomes.

There are different notions of majority used in practice. A simple or relative majority occurs when a group has more votes than any other option or competitor, but not necessarily more than half of all votes cast. An absolute majority requires more than half of all votes or seats, often regardless of abstentions. In many constitutional or high-stakes decisions, a supermajority is required, meaning a higher threshold such as two-thirds or another specified proportion, for example for amendments, treaties, or major structural changes.

In Finnish political and public discourse, enemmistöjä can describe the power held by coalitions or parties in parliaments, councils, or juries, as well as the outcome of elections where a candidate or party receives a majority of votes. The concept is contrasted with vähemmistö, the minority, and with scenarios where no clear majority exists, leading to coalition-building or bargaining.

Examples of use include passing ordinary legislation by an absolute majority in a legislature, or requiring a supermajority for constitutional reform. The term is central to understanding democratic decision-making, representation, and the balance between majority rule and minority rights. See also valtaenemmistö and vaalit.