Kansanäänestykset

Kansanäänestykset are a form of direct democracy in Finland in which eligible voters express their views on a public issue by casting a ballot, rather than electing representatives to decide the matter.

There are national referendums and local (municipal) referendums. National referendums in Finland are rare and not automatically binding; the constitution does not mandate them, and decisions to hold a national referendum are political rather than legal obligations. When held, such referendums are typically advisory, and the government and Parliament decide how to proceed in light of the result. The best-known national referendum in Finland is the referendum on European Union membership held in the 1990s; while advisory in nature, it influenced subsequent policy and the decision to pursue EU membership.

Local referendums can be organized by municipalities to address local issues such as zoning, public services, or budget questions. The legal basis, the purpose, and whether a local referendum is binding or advisory depend on municipal statutes and applicable national legislation, so practices vary between municipalities.

Campaigning, funding, and administration of referendums fall under election and campaign rules, with guarantees for fair participation, transparency, and voter access. Voting typically occurs under standard electoral procedures, with eligibility rules applying to those who meet the national age and residency requirements.

In Finland, kansanäänestykset are not a routine tool of governance; their use is limited and context-dependent. They function primarily as a way to gauge public opinion on significant issues and can provide political legitimacy, but their outcomes do not automatically determine government policy. See also: EU membership referendum (1994), Municipal referendums in Finland.