Finnlands neue Verfassung: Abschied vom semi-prasidentiellen System

In: Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen: ZParl, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 296-310

Abstract

With the discharge of a new constitution in 2000, Finland has substantially completed the transition to a parliamentary system of government. The so called "Total Reform" furthered the Finnish constitutional traditions in many respects, but represented a meaningful qualitative change through the renunciation of the semi-presidential system. The main characteristic of the new constitution lies in the reduction of presidential powers in favor of the government. Even in the area of foreign policy, the president's power is weakened, as the interests of the EU are removed from his hand, & he is required to cooperate in all foreign policy questions. However, there remains no constitutional jurisdiction even after the reforms, & the opportunity to pass limited legal exceptions to the constitution continues to exist. Aside from these changes & continuities, the new constitution distinguishes itself through a comprehensive catalog of constitutional rights. L. Kehl