10.4.2025 | Sunday 13 April is election day for the 2025 county elections and municipal elections. Polling stations will be open on election day from 9.00 to 20.00. Preliminary results of the elections will be announced starting at 20.00.

25.3.2025 | County elections and municipal elections will be held simultaneously on Sunday 13 April 2025. The advance voting period is from 2 to 8 April 2025 in Finland and from 2 to 5 April 2025 abroad.

16.4.2025 | The recount of the votes cast in the county elections and municipal elections is now complete. The confirmed results are available in the Information and Result Service of the Ministry of Justice. 

4.4.2025 | The 2025 county elections and municipal elections will be held simultaneously, but they are two separate elections. The Ministry of Justice has published communication materials providing examples that will help voters know what to do when they go to a polling station. 

8.5.2024 | Elections to the European Parliament, or European elections, will be held in Finland on Sunday 9 June 2024. In the elections, 15 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected in Finland for a term of five years. The candidates stand for election in the entire country.

10.1.2024 | Finland will hold its presidential election on Sunday 28 January 2024. In the election, Finnish citizens entitled to vote will elect the President of the Republic for a term of six years. The candidates stand for election in the entire country.

Elections and voting The Ministry of Justice is the highest election authority in Finland. The Ministry bears the overall responsibility for conducting general elections, coordinates the preparatory work for elections, and provides guidance to oth...

Democracy and voting Under the Constitution, the powers of the State in Finland are vested in the people, who are represented by the Parliament. Democracy entails the right of the individual to participate in and influence the development of socie...

Right of initiative The Constitution lays down provisions on the right of individuals to participate in and influence the development of society and their living conditions. Pursuant to the Constitution, the public authorities shall promote the op...

Act on the Openness of Government Activities The right to information on government activities What documents are governed by the act? Requesting access to a document The right to access to information Restrictions on access Publications and broch...

The Ministry of Justice has appointed a cross-administrative working group to prepare the National Programme to Promote Democracy and Participation outlined in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government Programme and to coordinate the implementation of the programme within the Government ministries.

News Language Report discusses realisation of linguistic rights Type: Press release Publication date: 15.1.2026 13.32 Proposal for a new Arbitration Act sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 18.12.2025 12.16 Survey to gather ...

Current issues News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Language Report discusses realisation of linguistic rights Type: Press release Publication date: 15.1.2026 13.32 Proposal for a new Arbitration Act sent out for comments Type: Press rel...

Finland – a state governed by the rule of law Finnish democracy is built on the rule of law. The rule of law and respect for fundamental rights are key principles enshrined in the Constitution of Finland. Finland is also committed to these princip...

The Government Programme states that preparation of a cross-administrative democracy programme shall be launched. The National Democracy Programme 2025 covers the numerous measures related to civil society and participation outlined in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin. It will function as an umbrella for democracy-related projects to be carried out by different ministries.

Justice affairs in the EU EU affairs at the Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice is responsible for EU projects within its mandate and seeks to influence EU legislation proactively. The objective is to ensure that Finland’s interests are se...

From 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2021, the Ministry of Justice will implement the Election Pool project, which will support elections and cooperation between authorities. The project is funded by the European Commission’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme. The objective of the project is to strengthen cooperation among authorities and cooperation with social media in addressing election interference and improving election preparedness.

One of the objectives set out in the Government Programme is to promote democracy and human rights education and the participation of young people and to reinforce the obligation to consult young people. The task of the coordination group is to monitor and support the planning and implementation of the measures.

On 20.3.2025, the Government adopted a resolution on a national programme to promote democracy and participation. The task of the cross-administrative working group appointed by the Ministry of Justice is to coordinate the implementation of the programme in the Government in 2025-2027.

In accordance with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin, an act on a transparency register will be enacted in Finland on the basis of parliamentary preparation and in consultation with civil society. The purpose of the act is to improve the transparency of decision-making and, by doing this, to prevent undue influence and reinforce public confidence.