Taasesidentsioon

Taasesidentsioon is a term used primarily in the context of Finnish parliamentary procedure to describe a special type of session held for the purpose of reconsidering or amending a piece of legislation that was previously approved but encountered new circumstances or legal challenges. The word is a compound of the Finnish prefix “taase-,” meaning “again” or “re,” and “sesidentioon,” derived from “sessio,” the Latin word for session, with the suffix indicating the act of conducting a session. Thus, taasesidentioon literally translates to “re‑session” or “session for reconsideration.”

The mechanism was introduced to address scenarios in which a law’s implementation had been delayed or altered due to unforeseen administrative obstacles, new scientific data, or international obligations. It allows the legislature to convene without a full session, focusing solely on the specific amendment or clarification. While the voting procedures mirror those of a full parliamentary session, the agenda is restricted, and the time limit is considerably shorter, ensuring a swift resolution to the issue at hand.

Taasesidentsioon has gained use in areas such as environmental regulation, digital policy, and public health law, where rapid legislative adjustments are often required. It is distinct from a “cirkular” (a moratoria or suspension of law) and from a “kysymys” (a parliamentary question), as it directly changes the text of an existing law. The concept is supported by provisions in the Finnish Parliament Act, which outline the procedural steps, quorum requirements, and record‑keeping for such sessions.