| Speaker of Parliament of Finland | |
|---|---|
| Eduskunnan puhemies Riksdagens talman | |
 | |
| Parliament of Finland | |
| Seat | Helsinki, Finland |
| Appointer | Parliament |
| Term length | One year |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Finland |
| Precursor | Speaker of the Diet of Finland |
| Formation | 1907 |
| First holder | Pehr Evind Svinhufvud |
| Salary | €13,390 monthly[1] |
| Website | www.eduskunta.fi |
 |
|---|
The speaker of the Parliament of Finland (Finnish eduskunnan puhemies, Swedish riksdagens talman), along with two deputy speakers, is elected by Parliament during the first plenary session each year. Speakers are chosen for a year at a time. In addition to their preparing the work in plenary sessions the speakers also play a key role in Parliament's international co-operation, which includes visits by speakers and international delegations as well as participation in numerous interparliamentary organisations.
The speaker and two deputy speakers are elected by parliament from among its members by secret ballot. After the election the speaker and deputy speakers each make the following solemn affirmation before Parliament:
- "I, ..., affirm that in my office as speaker I will to the best of my ability defend the rights of the people, parliament and the government of Finland according to the Constitution."
Formally, the speaker ranks second in the protocol, after the president of Finland and before the prime minister of Finland.[2] The speaker is the chairman of the parliament, who grants the floor for speeches and replies, makes voting proposals and decides on the final order of business.[3] An interim speaker is elected for the duration of government formation talks. The speaker's duties are defined in the Constitution of Finland and the parliament's rules of procedure.[4][5]
The title puhemies or talman has, both in Finnish and Swedish, the literal meaning 'spokesman', which has caused mild controversies in terms of sexism in language. However, according to official language authorities, the title is not easy to change to a more gender-neutral alternative due to its "strong connection to the institution and history of the Parliament".[6]
If there is a tie in the Speaker's Council the speaker is given a tie-breaking vote.[7]
- ^ "Eduskunnan puhemiehen palkkioon yli tuhannen euron korotus, toisen kauden kansanedustajien palkkioihin uusi "väliporras"". Helsingin Sanomat. April 17, 2019.
- ^ Maassa maan tavalla - tunne säännöt ja onnistu. Ulkoasiainministeriön protokollapalvelut (in Finnish). Ulkoasiainministeriö. 2008. p. 32. ISBN 978-952-281-173-8.
- ^ "The Speaker and Deputy Speakers". Parliament of Finland. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Suomen perustuslaki 731/1999". Ajantasainen lainsäädäntö, finlex.fi (in Finnish). Edita. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Eduskunnan työjärjestys 40/2000". Ajantasainen lainsäädäntö, finlex.fi (in Finnish). Edita. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "History of Finnish Parliament". Eduskunta. Archived from the original on 2014-06-06.
- ^ "The Constitution of Finland" (PDF).