Lainsäädäntönä

Lainsäädäntönä refers to the concept of legislation or lawmaking in the Finnish legal system. It encompasses the entire process by which laws are created, debated, amended, and enacted. This process is central to the functioning of the Finnish state and its ability to govern.

The primary body responsible for lainsäädäntönä is the Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta). Members of Parliament propose new laws or amendments to existing ones, which are then subject to parliamentary debate and voting. The government also plays a significant role by preparing most legislative proposals, which are then submitted to Parliament for consideration.

The legislative process typically involves several stages. A bill is introduced, followed by committee review, which allows for in-depth analysis and expert input. Subsequently, the bill is debated in plenary sessions of Parliament, where amendments can be proposed. Finally, a vote is held. If a bill receives a majority vote, it is then sent to the President of Finland for confirmation, after which it becomes law and is published in the Statute Book of Finland (Suomen säädöskokoelma).

Lainsäädäntönä also includes the principles and sources of law. In Finland, these are primarily statutes enacted by Parliament, but also include government decrees, international treaties ratified by Finland, and in some contexts, case law and legal doctrine. The legislative framework aims to ensure legal certainty, fairness, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens.