valtioneuvoston

Valtioneuvosto, known in English as the Government of Finland, is the collective executive authority of the Finnish state. It consists of the Prime Minister and other ministers who head the ministries, and the Prime Minister chairs its deliberations. The Government is responsible for formulating and implementing domestic and foreign policy, directing state administration through the ministries, and preparing legislation to be presented to Parliament. It also issues most regulations and administers the state budget in line with Parliament’s decisions.

The Government is formed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President on the basis of the political situation in Parliament after elections. The Prime Minister then selects the other ministers, and the President formally appoints them on that proposal. The Government is collectively responsible to Parliament and must retain its confidence. Parliament may approve a government programme or pass a vote of no confidence; if confidence is lost, the Government must resign and a new government is formed.

In practice, the valtioneuvosto coordinates policy across ministries, represents Finland internationally, and implements European Union policy. It leads the preparation of government bills, negotiates the state budget, and makes major policy decisions. Cabinet meetings are held weekly, and its decisions are carried out by the ministries and agencies.

The term valtioneuvosto is often translated as the Finnish Government or the Council of State and denotes the central executive body in Finland’s constitutional framework. The President’s role in modern practice is largely ceremonial, acting on the Government’s proposal and Parliament’s political reality.