sitoutumisasteet

Sitoutumisasteet, also known as "sit-outs" or "sit-outs in the Finnish Parliament," refer to a parliamentary procedure used in the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) to address issues of trust and confidence. This procedure is a form of no-confidence motion, but it is distinct from the traditional no-confidence motion in that it does not necessarily lead to the resignation of the government. Instead, it is used to express a lack of confidence in the government's policies or actions, and it can be used to pressure the government to take corrective measures.

The procedure was introduced in 2011 as part of a reform of the parliamentary rules. It requires a two-thirds majority of the members of the Parliament to be present for the motion to be considered. If the motion is passed, the government is required to present a written explanation of its actions within a specified time frame. If the government fails to do so, or if the Parliament is not satisfied with the explanation, the motion can be brought up again, leading to a vote of no-confidence in the government.

Sitoutumisasteet have been used sparingly in the Finnish Parliament, with the most notable instances occurring in 2015 and 2019. In both cases, the motion was passed, and the government was required to present an explanation. In 2015, the motion was brought up over the government's handling of the refugee crisis, while in 2019, it was brought up over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In both cases, the government was able to present a satisfactory explanation, and the motion was not brought up again.

The procedure is seen as a way to increase the accountability of the government and to ensure that the Parliament has a role in shaping the government's policies. However, it has also been criticized for being too vague and for not providing clear guidelines for when it should be used. Despite these criticisms, sitoutumisasteet remain an important part of the Finnish parliamentary system.