Finland is a parliamentary democracy with a multiparty political system and a president as the head of state. Finland declared itself independent of the Russian Empire on 6 December 1917. Since independence, Finland has lived with her Western democracy intact, through the Second World War and the Cold War, and has become a member of the European Union.

At the local level, Finland is divided into municipalities which elect local councils. Every citizen who has reached the age of 18 by Election Day has a right to vote and to stand for election. Everyone who is entitled to vote is automatically entered in the electoral register.

?The head of state is the President of the Republic who is elected for a period of six years. The new constitution, adopted in 2000 and further adjusted 2012, moved the political system in a more parliamentary direction, by increasing the amount of power that the parliament and the government wield.

The new constitution strengthened the position of the prime minister and reduced the president’s power. The president still conducts Finland’s foreign policy together with the government, is in charge of relations with other states, and participates in international organisations and negotiations. The president is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.

INDIAN MISSIONS IN FINLAND

Ambassador of India, Mr. Aladiyan Manickam
Kulosaarentie 32,
00570 Helsinki.

Telephone: +358-9-228-99-10
Fax: +358-9-622-12-08
E-Mail:amb.helsinki@mea.gov.in
Website:www.mea.gov.in