Liittouman

Liittouman is Finnish for a coalition or alliance. The form liittouman is the genitive singular of liittouma, which denotes a formal agreement or arrangement between two or more parties, groups, or states to pursue shared goals. The word derives from liitto (alliance, union) with the suffix -ma that forms nouns.

In political contexts, a liittouma often refers to a temporary arrangement to govern or coordinate policy, especially when no single party holds a majority. Parties negotiate a common program and may divide ministerial or administrative posts as part of the agreement. In modern Finnish political language, koalitio is the more common term for a government coalition, while liittouma can be used to emphasize the alliance aspect or to appear in historical or broader strategic discussions. Liittoumas can be stable for longer periods or relatively fragile, depending on compatibility of objectives and internal dynamics.

In international relations, liittouma describes alliances between countries, including military, diplomatic, or economic coalitions. Such liittoumat are typically formalized through treaties or agreements and may serve purposes such as mutual defense, security cooperation, or coordinated policy actions. The term can be used alongside or interchangeably with liittoutuma, depending on stylistic or historical usage.

See also: liitto, koalitio, liittoutuma.