kannatusten

Kannatusten is the genitive plural form of the Finnish noun kannatus, meaning endorsement, support, or patronage. In Finnish usage, kannatus refers to expressions of backing for a person, idea, organization, or proposal. Kannatusten—literally “the endorsements”—are often discussed in the contexts of petitions, campaigns, or public statements, where a tally or list of endorsers matters. The term appears in phrases such as kannatusten kerääminen (the collection of endorsements) and kannatusten määrä (the number of endorsements).

Etymology and usage: Kannatus derives from the notion of bearing or supporting, and kannatusten conveys a set of such backing, typically compiled as a sign of broad support. It can involve individuals, organizations, or institutions. Kannatusta is broader in scope than a single signature, and kannatusten can be used to refer to the collective support behind a proposal or initiative. It is closely related to, but not always interchangeable with, allekirjoitus (signature).

Contexts: In politics and civil society, kannatusten kerääminen is a common step before presenting a proposal, bill, or initiative to authorities or the public. In corporate or nonprofit campaigns, endorsements may be sought to demonstrate legitimacy or momentum. The term is used in news reporting, official statements, and advocacy materials to describe the level of public backing for an effort.

See also: kannatus, allekirjoitus, kansalaisaloite, tuki, kannatusadressi.