Luottamuskyselyitä

Luottamuskyselyitä, meaning "confidence votes" or "votes of confidence" in English, is a parliamentary procedure used in many democratic systems, particularly in Finland and other Nordic countries. It is a mechanism through which a government or a specific minister can test or demonstrate that they still have the support of the legislature. A luottamuskysely can be initiated either by the government itself, in which case it is often called a proactive confidence vote, or by a group of parliamentarians, typically the opposition, who wish to challenge the government's legitimacy or a specific policy.

When a luottamuskysely is initiated by parliamentarians, they must present a motion of no confidence. If this motion is passed by a majority of the votes, it usually signifies that the government or the minister in question must resign. The consequences of a failed luottamuskysely for the government can range from a minor political setback to a complete change in government, depending on the specific constitutional rules of the country.

Conversely, a government may initiate a luottamuskysely to seek explicit parliamentary endorsement for its policies or its continued tenure. If the government wins such a vote, it strengthens its mandate and can proceed with its agenda with greater confidence. The procedure is a fundamental tool for maintaining accountability between the executive and legislative branches of government.