Puheenvuorossa

Puheenvuorossa is a Finnish term that describes the status of a participant who currently has the floor in a meeting, council, or parliament. The word is formed from puhe (speech) and vuoro (turn) and literally means “in the speaking turn.” In practice, it denotes that a person has been granted the right to speak and is actively delivering a speech or contribution, while others wait for their turn.

In official contexts, the phrase appears in minutes, agendas, and reports to indicate who is speaking or who will speak next. It helps structure debates, manage time, and maintain order. Finnish parliamentary and municipal decision-making typically follow rules that regulate how and when members may present statements, ask questions, or make motions; speaking times are often limited, and interruptions are controlled. When a speaker finishes, the floor passes to the next participant, who may then begin their own puheenvuoro.

The concept of puheenvuoro is central to Finnish deliberative practice and is closely related to the broader idea of maintaining orderly discussion and equal opportunities to contribute. While most commonly used in political or administrative settings, the term also appears in other formal discussions, such as organizational meetings and public forums, where clear speaking turns help ensure constructive dialogue.

See also: Puheenvuoro, Puheenvuorot, Parliamentary procedure, Debate.