County elections

Finland has 21 wellbeing services county. They are responsible for organizing social and health services and rescue operations in their county. In the county elections, members of the county council are elected. These members make decisions for the wellbeing services county. Members of the county council are elected for four years at a time.

More information about county elections on the Ministry of Justice’s election website.

Elections to the European Parliament (European elections)

The European Parliament is the legislative body of the European Union (EU). The main tasks of the European Parliament, together with the Council of the European Union, are to make EU laws, approve the EU budget and supervise the activities of EU agencies.

Citizens of the European Union elect members of the European Parliament every five years. Finland elects 15 members to the European Parliament, called “MEPs”. The European Parliament elections are held at the same time in all EU member states.

More information about European elections on the Ministry of Justice’s election website.

Municipal elections

In municipal elections, members of the municipal council are elected. These members decide on the municipality’s activities and finances. Municipalities are responsible for services like schools, sports facilities and water supply. Members of the municipal council are elected for four years at a time. The number of council members elected depends on the population of the municipality.

More information about municipal elections on the Ministry of Justice’s election website.

Parliamentary elections

The main tasks of the Parliament are to make laws, decide on the state budget and supervise the government’s activities. Members of Parliament are elected every four years. In the elections, Finnish citizens choose 200 members of Parliament to make decisions about our common matters. Election day is the third Sunday of April in the election year.

More information about parliamentary elections on the Ministry of Justice’s election website.

Presidential election

The main tasks of the President are to lead Finland’s foreign policy, approve laws passed by Finnish Parliament and decide on war and peace. Election day is the fourth Sunday of January in the election year.

Finnish citizens elect the President every six years. If one candidate gets more than half of the votes in the first round, they are directly elected as President. If no candidate gets more than half of the votes in the first round, a second round is held.

More information about presidential elections on the Ministry of Justice’s election website.