kandidaatit

Kandidaatit is the plural form of kandidaatti, a candidate in Finnish politics. In everyday and official usage, kandidaatit are individuals who stand in elections to seek public office, such as seats in the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) or in local municipal councils. The term covers both party nominees and independent contenders.

Candidates can be nominated by political parties or run as independents, especially in municipal elections. The legal framework for candidacy is defined by Finnish election law and includes general requirements such as age, citizenship, and not being disqualified from holding office; specifics can vary by election type and district. Candidates must submit the necessary nominations and comply with campaign rules and deadlines.

In Finland’s open-list proportional representation system, voters may cast a vote for a party or for an individual candidate within a party list. The overall number of seats won by each party in a district is determined by the party’s vote share using the D’Hondt method. Within each party’s list, candidates who receive more personal votes are more likely to fill the seats allocated to that party. There is no nationwide threshold; seat allocation depends on district results and intra-list rankings.

Elected kandidaatit assume office after the election, provided they meet constitutional and legal requirements, and serve for the duration of the relevant term. The role and influence of a candidate depend on the elected position and the political process in which they participate.