säätyvaltiopäivä

The Säätyvaltiopäivä, or Diet of the Estates, was the legislative assembly of Finland during the Swedish and Russian eras. It was not a continuous body but convened when called by the monarch or governor-general. The Säätyvaltiopäivä was composed of four estates: the nobility, the clergy, the burghers, and the peasantry. Each estate had its own internal organization and rules for representation. The primary function of the Diet was to approve new laws and taxes, and to present petitions to the sovereign. Its powers varied significantly over time depending on the prevailing political climate and the strength of the central government. The first Säätyvaltiopäivä was held in Porvoo in 1599. It played a crucial role in Finnish political history, shaping the development of Finnish law and administration. After Finland gained autonomy within the Russian Empire in 1809, the Säätyvaltiopäivä continued to function, evolving into the unicameral Parliament of Finland (Eduskunta) in 1906. The term "Säätyvaltiopäivä" is now primarily used to refer to the historical institution prior to the parliamentary reforms of the early 20th century.