Maakuntavaltuuston

Maakuntavaltuusto is the legislative body of a Finnish region (maakunta). It acts as the region’s highest decision-making organ, responsible for regional development, planning and supervision of regional affairs. The council adopts strategies and sets priorities for the region, and it approves the regional budget and major plans that guide public administration across municipalities within the region.

The council is composed of representatives elected to the regional level. Jäsenet valitaan regionaalvaaleissa siten, että kukin kunta määrää oman valtuustonsa edustajat maakuntavaltuustoon suhteessa kunnan väestöön ja alueen tarpeisiin. Maakuntavaltuusto convenes regularly to conduct its work, appoints the regional executive body, and monitors the implementation of its decisions.

Key powers include preparing regional development programs, approving maakuntakaava (regional land-use plan), overseeing infrastructure, education, culture and environment initiatives, and coordinating activities across municipalities. It also governs the regional authority’s finances, including adopting the talousarvio (budget) and tilinpäätös (financial statements), and it may establish committees to handle specific policy areas.

Maakuntavaltuusto operates within national legislation that governs regional self-government. It works closely with the municipalities within the region, whose representatives form the council, and with the joint municipal authority maakuntaliitto, which provides administrative services to the region. The council can appoint or oversee the maakuntaliiton hallitus (executive body) and other operational bodies as needed.

Historically, regional councils were established to enable coordinated cross-municipal planning and to promote balanced regional development. The maakuntavaltuusto remains a central element of Finland’s regional administration and development policy.