View source for President of Finland

{{Short description|Head of state of Finland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{About|the President of Finland as an institution|a list of presidents|List of presidents of Finland}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = President of the Republic of Finland
| native_name = {{small|{{native name|fi|Suomen tasavallan presidentti}}}}<br />{{small|{{native name|sv|Republiken Finlands president}}}}
| insignia = 
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = 
| flag = Flag of the President of Finland.svg
| flagsize = 
| flagcaption = Presidential Standard
| image = Alexander Stubb - 2024 (73516) (cropped).jpg
| caption = 
| imagesize = 
| incumbent = [[Alexander Stubb]]
| incumbentsince = 1 March 2024
| type = [[Head of state]]
| style = {{plainlist|
* [[Mr. President (title)|Mr. President of the Republic]]<br />(informal)
* [[Excellency|His Excellency]]<br />(diplomatic)
}}
| department = [[Politics_of_Finland#Executive_branch|Executive branch of the Finnish Government]]<br>[[Politics_of_Finland#President|Office of the President of Finland]]
| residence = {{plainlist|
* [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki|Presidential Palace]]<br />(ceremonial)
* [[Mäntyniemi]]<br />(residential)
* [[Kultaranta]]<br />(summer residence)
}}
| appointer = [[Direct election]]
| termlength = Six years,
| termlength_qualified = renewable once consecutively
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Finland]] (2000)
| formation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1919|7|26}}
| inaugural = [[Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg]]
| deputy = [[Prime Minister of Finland]]
| salary = [[Euro|€]]160,000 annually<ref name="presidentinpalkkio">{{cite web|url=https://www.presidentti.fi/presidentin-toimi/palkkio-ja-elake/|title=Palkkio ja eläke|website=Presidentti}}</ref>
| website = [https://www.presidentti.fi/en/ President of the Republic of Finland]
| body = 
}}
{{listen
|filename=Björneborgarnas marsch.MID
|title=Björneborgarnas marsch (MID)
|description="March of the Björneborgers" or "March of the Pori Regiment" from the 19th century; known as the Song of the President of Finland
|filetype=[[MID]]
|pos=right}}
{{Politics of Finland}}

The '''president of the Republic of Finland''' ({{langx|fi|Suomen tasavallan presidentti}}; {{langx|sv|republiken Finlands president}}) is the [[head of state]] of [[Finland]]. The incumbent president is [[Alexander Stubb]], since 1 March 2024. He was elected president for the first time in [[2024 Finnish presidential election|2024]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pekkarinen |first=Virpi |date=2024-02-15 |title=President of the Republic of Finland to be inaugurated on 1 March 2024 |url=https://www.presidentti.fi/niinisto/en/press-release/president-of-the-republic-of-finland-to-be-inaugurated-on-1-march-2024/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö |language=en-US}}</ref>

The president is directly elected by universal suffrage for a term of six years. Since 1994, no president may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. The president must be a [[Natural-born-citizen clause|natural-born]] [[Finnish citizen]]. The presidential office was established in the [[Constitution of Finland#Historical background and reform|Constitution Act of 1919]]. Under the [[Constitution of Finland]], executive power is vested in the [[Finnish Government]] and the president, with the latter possessing only residual powers. Only formally, the president [[Finnish order of precedence|ranks first in the protocol]], before the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|speaker of the parliament]] and the [[Prime Minister of Finland|prime minister of Finland]].<ref>{{cite book | title= Maassa maan tavalla – tunne säännöt ja onnistu. Ulkoasiainministeriön protokollapalvelut | publisher= Ulkoasiainministeriö | year=2008 | isbn= 978-952-281-173-8 | language = fi}}</ref>

Finland has for most of [[Independence of Finland|its independence]] had a [[semi-presidential system]] in which the president had much authority and power over both foreign and domestic policy, but constitutional amendments adopted in 1991, 2000 and 2012 reduced the president's powers and moved the country towards a more [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary system]]. The president still leads the nation's foreign policy in conjunction with the Government, and is the commander-in-chief of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]].

== Title ==
Officially, the current head of state of Finland is known as the president of the Republic of Finland ({{langx|fi|Suomen tasavallan presidentti}}; {{langx|sv|republiken Finlands president}}) or, more often, the president of the Republic (''{{lang|fi|tasavallan presidentti}}'', ''{{lang|sv|republikens president}}''). This is in contrast to former presidents, who retain the title "President".{{NoteTag|In other contexts, the generic term for "president" is ''{{lang|fi|puheenjohtaja}}'' – except for [[Judicial system of Finland#Courts|appeals courts and supreme courts]] where the term {{lang|fi|presidentti}} is used.}}

==Election==
<!-- This section is linked from [[Aksel Airo]] -->
Presidential candidates can be nominated by registered parties which have received at least one seat in the previous parliamentary elections. A candidate may also be nominated by 20,000 enfranchised citizens. The usual practice is that each political party sets its own, distinct candidate. Between 1919 and 1988, the president was elected indirectly by an [[electoral college]] made up of electors chosen by voters in the presidential election. In the 1988 presidential election, a direct and an indirect election were conducted in parallel: if no candidate could gain a majority, the president was elected by an electoral college formed in the same elections. Since 1994, the president has been elected by a direct popular vote.

If only one candidate is nominated, that candidate becomes president without an election. Otherwise, the first round of balloting takes place on the fourth Sunday<ref name="Election of the President">{{cite web |title=Election of the President |url=https://www.presidentti.fi/en/presidency/election-of-the-president/ |publisher=Office of the President of the Republic of Finland |access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> of January in the election year. The elections are [[two-stage elections|two-staged]]. If one of the candidates receives more than half of the votes cast, that candidate is elected president. If no candidate wins a majority in the first stage, the top two candidates rerun in the second stage two weeks<ref name="Election of the President"/> later. The candidate who then receives more votes is elected. In the event of a tie, the election is resolved by lot. The [[Finnish Government|Government]] confirms the outcome of the election and, if necessary, conducts the drawing of lots. The president assumes office on the first day of the month following the election (either 1 February or 1 March depending on whether there were one or two rounds).

There have been several exceptional presidential elections. The first president, [[Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg]], was chosen by the Finnish [[Parliament of Finland|parliament]] due to the transition rule of the [[constitution]] and also due to the [[martial law]]. In 1940 and 1943, the 1937 [[electoral college]] chose the president, as it was felt that a popular election could not be arranged due to the martial law (1940) and the [[Continuation War]] (1943). In 1944 special legislation directly stipulated that [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|Marshal Mannerheim]] be elected president for six years after [[Risto Ryti]] had resigned mid-term. In 1946, special legislation empowered the Parliament to choose a successor for the remainder of Mannerheim's term (until 1950), the latter having resigned. Then Prime Minister [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi]] was elected president by the Parliament. In 1973, special legislation extended President [[Urho Kekkonen]]'s term by four years until 1978, when he was re-elected regularly.

==Inauguration==
The president-elect, accompanied by the [[Speakers of the Parliament of Finland|Speaker of the Parliament]] and the outgoing president, assumes office on the first day of the month following the election by making a solemn affirmation in both [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] at a ceremony in [[Eduskuntatalo|Parliament House]]. The affirmation is specified in Section 56 of the Constitution, and in English reads "I, [N. N.], elected by the people of Finland as the President of the Republic, hereby affirm that in my presidential duties I shall sincerely and conscientiously observe the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, and to the best of my ability promote the wellbeing of the people of Finland."<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Constitution of Finland: 11 June 1999 (731/1999, amendments up to 817/2018 included) |publisher=Ministry of Justice, Finland |access-date=18 April 2021 |url= https://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf#page=12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041130111527/http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf#page=12 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 30 November 2004 |at=Section 56 |language=en}}</ref>

The term of the president-elect begins at the moment the affirmation has been made (around 12:20 on the day of the inauguration). After the inauguration, the new president, accompanied by his or her predecessor, inspects the guard of honour outside Parliament House.

== Presidential sessions ==
[[File:Ahtisaari-Koivisto-1994.jpg|thumb|right|Newly sworn President [[Martti Ahtisaari]] (2nd left) inspects the company of honor with outgoing President [[Mauno Koivisto|Koivisto]] (c.), followed by others, c. 1994]]
[[File:Kunniakomppania.JPG|thumb|right|New President [[Sauli Niinistö]] (rt.) and outgoing President [[Tarja Halonen|Halonen]] (2nd rt.) accompanied by military leaders, inspect the company of honor, c. 2012]]
The president exercises governmental powers "in council" with the [[Finnish Government]], echoing the royal ''[[curia regis]]''. The session is customarily arranged once a week. There is [[quorum]] of five ministers and the [[Chancellor of Justice|chancellor of justice]] is present as well. In the session, the respective ministers present the topic and a proposal for decision. Based on the proposal, the president makes his decision. The president may depart from the proposal and may return the proposal to the Government for reconsideration. There is no voting and normally there are no speeches aside from the aforementioned proposals. Except for approvals of new laws and appointments, the Government may present the issue to the [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]], which will make the final decision on the matter on the Government's proposal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tieteentermipankki.fi/wiki/Oikeustiede:presidentin_esittely|title=Oikeustiede:presidentin esittely – Tieteen termipankki|website=tieteentermipankki.fi|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208004711/http://tieteentermipankki.fi/wiki/Oikeustiede:presidentin_esittely|archive-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>

==Duties and powers==
[[File:President Ronald Reagan meeting with President Mauno Koivisto.jpg|thumb|[[Mauno Koivisto]] with President [[Ronald Reagan]] during a trip to Finland]]
[[File:The Presidential Palace, Helsinki, Finland 05.jpg|thumb|The [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki]] is the official state residence of the president]]
The president's functions and powers are directly defined in the Constitution. In addition to those specified there, the president also discharges functions assigned to the president in other laws. Under the Constitution of Finland, executive power is vested in the president and the [[Finnish Government|Government]], which must enjoy the confidence of parliament. This principle is reflected in other provisions of the constitution concerning the president's functions and powers dealing with legislation, decrees, and appointment of public officials. Custom dictates that the president renounces any party affiliation while serving, to remain above day-to-day politics.

The president was originally vested with fairly broad executive power, particularly in the realm of foreign policy.<ref name=Britannica>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Finland/ Finland] at [[Encyclopedia Britannica]]</ref> Constitutional amendments enacted in 1999 reduced the president's powers somewhat, and the president now shares executive authority with the [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]].<ref name=Thompson>{{cite book |title=The World Today Series: Nordic, Central and Southeastern Europe 2008|last=Thompson |first=Wayne C. |year=2008 |publisher=Stryker-Post Publications |location=Harpers Ferry, West Virginia |ISBN=978-1-887985-95-6}}</ref> Nevertheless, presidents are still seen as providing a measure of stability, given that it is all but impossible for one party to win an outright majority in Parliament.<ref name=Britannica/>

[[File:Mäntyniemi.JPG|thumb|[[Mäntyniemi]], the private residence of the president]]

===Ordering premature parliamentary elections===
Upon the proposal of the prime minister, the president may, having consulted the parliamentary groups and while Parliament is in session, order the holding of premature parliamentary election. The new parliament is chosen for a normal four-year term. [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] itself may decide when to end its session before the election day. From 1919 to 1991 the president's power to order a premature election was unqualified and he could do so whenever considered necessary. Presidents have ordered premature parliamentary elections on seven occasions. The president declares each annual session of parliament open and closes the last Annual Session. This is done in a speech at each opening and closing ceremony.

===Appointing and discharging ministers===
The [[Prime Minister of Finland|prime minister]] and [[Finnish Government|other members of the Government]] are appointed and discharged by the president of the republic. After [[Elections in Finland|parliamentary elections]] or in any other situation where the government has resigned, the president, taking into account the result of consultations between the parliamentary groups and having heard the view of the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Finland|speaker]], submits a nominee for prime minister to Parliament. If confirmed by Parliament with a majority of the votes cast, the president then proceeds to appoint the prime minister and other ministers. The president is constitutionally required to dismiss a government or any minister as soon as that government has lost the confidence of Parliament.

===Appointing powers===
[[File:Flag of the President of Finland (1944–1946).svg|thumb|upright|Presidential Standard of 1944–1946, during the presidency of [[Gustaf Mannerheim]]]]
[[File:Presidential Standard of Finland (1920-1944 1946-1978).svg|thumb|upright|Presidential Standard of 1920–1944 and 1946–1978]]
[[File:Flag of the President of Finland.svg|thumb|upright|Presidential Standard since 1978]]
The president appoints:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidentti.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=44821&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI#Virkanimitykset |title=Tehtävät – Suomen tasavallan presidentti: Asema ja tehtävät: Tehtävät |publisher=Presidentti.fi |date=2012-02-28 |access-date=2012-08-13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713184145/http://www.presidentti.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=44821&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI#Virkanimitykset |archive-date=13 July 2014}}</ref>
*Governor, and other members of the board of the [[Bank of Finland]]
*Chancellor of justice and the vice-chancellor of justice
*Prosecutor-general and the vice prosecutor-general
*Ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions abroad
*Executive of [[Kela (Finnish)|Kela]] (Social Insurance Institution)
*Secretary general and presenters at Office of the President of the Republic

Most of the appointment process is conducted at the respective ministry: The Office of the President does not process preparations or presentations of the appointment. Nevertheless, presidents have used these powers publicly, even against the internal recommendation of the agency.

In addition, the president appoints or gives commission to:
*Officers of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]] and the [[Finnish Border Guard]]
*Permanent judges, including presidents and members of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, presidents and members of the courts of appeal and administrative courts of appeal.

===International relations===
The president conducts Finland's foreign policy in co-operation with the Finnish Government. The provisions of treaties and other international obligations that affect domestic legislation are implemented by acts of parliament. Otherwise, international obligations are implemented by a presidential decree. Decisions on war and peace are taken by the president with the assent of parliament.

===Legislation===
The president must sign and approve all bills adopted by Parliament before they become law. The president must decide on ratification within three months of receiving the bill and may request an opinion from the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court before giving assent. Should the president refuse assent or fail to decide on the matter in time, Parliament reconsiders the bill and can readopt it with a majority of votes cast. The bill will then enter into force without ratification. If Parliament fails to readopt the bill, it is deemed to have lapsed. Presidential vetoes are generally successful in preventing a bill from becoming law.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

===Presidential pardon===
In single cases, the president has the power of pardon from a penalty or any other criminal sanction imposed by a court. General pardon requires an act of parliament.<ref>Official, but non binding, english translation of the Constitution of Finland finalized in 2019.

[https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/1999/eng/731 Constitution of Finland, The | 731/1999 | Säädöskäännökset | Finlex]</ref><ref>Most up to date form of the constitution. 

[https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1999/731 Suomen perustuslaki | 731/1999 | Lainsäädäntö | Finlex]</ref>

The power of pardon has effectively become the instrument to limit [[life imprisonment]] to 12 years or more, since successive presidents have eventually given pardon to all felons. The president, however, retains the power to deny pardon. In autumn 2006, the regular paroling of convicts serving a life sentence power was transferred to the Helsinki Court of Appeals, and the peculiar arrangement, where the president exercises judicial power, ended. The presidential power of giving pardon is, however, retained. Its use has diminished under president Sauli Niinistö, who exercised the power particularly sparingly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/201808272201163852 |title=Presidentti Niinistöltä ei tippunut rikollisille armoa: 17 anomusta, pyöreät 0 armahdusta – Myös jalkajousimurhaaja anoi armoa |author=Janne Suutarinen |language=fi |date=27 August 2018 |website=[[Iltalehti]] |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>

In 2022 the Supreme Court of Finland issued an advisory opinion that interpreted the constitution to include bans on business operations as criminal sanctions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KKO:2022:78 {{!}} 16.12.2022 {{!}} Ennakkopäätökset {{!}} Korkein oikeus {{!}} Finlex |url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/oikeuskaytanto/korkein-oikeus/ennakkopaatokset/2022/78 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.finlex.fi}}</ref> This overturned previus precedent that interpreted such to not be within the scope of presidential pardon powers.

===Commander-in-chief of the defence forces===
The president of the republic is the [[Commander-in-Chief|commander-in-chief]] of the [[Finnish Defence Forces]], but may delegate this position to another [[Finnish nationality law|Finnish citizen]]. Delegation of the position of commander-in-chief is an exception to the principle that the president cannot delegate functions to others. The last time this has occurred was in the [[Military history of Finland during World War II|Second World War]] (to [[Field marshal (Finland)|Field Marshal]] [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]]). The president commissions officers and decides on the mobilisation of the Defence Forces. If [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]] is not in session when a decision to mobilise is taken, it must be immediately convened. As commander-in-chief, the president has the power to issue military orders concerning general guidelines for military defence, significant changes in military preparedness and the principles according to which military defence is implemented.

Decisions concerning military orders are made by the president in conjunction with the [[Prime Minister of Finland|prime minister]], and the [[Minister of Defence (Finland)|minister of defence]]. The president decides on military appointments in conjunction with the minister of defence.

===Emergency powers===
Under the Preparedness Act, in exceptional circumstances the president may issue a decree authorising the government to exercise emergency powers for up to one year at a time. The decree must be submitted to Parliament for its approval. Should the powers available under the Preparedness Act prove inadequate in an emergency, additional powers can be assumed under the State of Defence Act. The president may declare a state of defence by decree for a maximum of three months initially. If necessary, it can be extended for a maximum of one year at a time. A state of defence may also be declared in a region of the country. The decree must be submitted to parliament for approval.

===Decorations===
[[File:Presidentti Ahtisaaren valtiolliset hautajaiset 10.11.2023 - 34.jpg|thumb|All three Finnish orders on display at the [[state funeral of Martti Ahtisaari]] together with his [[Nobel Peace Prize]].]]
<!-- Please replace with Sauli Niinistö's CoA, when he's awarded one. [[File:Coat of Arms of Tarja Halonen.png|thumb|right|150px|Arms of President of the Republic Tarja Halonen.]] -->

{{Main|Orders, decorations, and medals of Finland}}
The president, as grand master, awards decorations and medals belonging to the [[Order of the White Rose of Finland]], the [[Order of the Lion of Finland]] and the [[Order of the Cross of Liberty]] to Finnish and foreign citizens. Likewise, titles of honor are awarded by the president; these include, for example, "professor" and different "counsellor" titles. These titles are symbolic, carry no responsibilities and have a similar role as [[knighting]] in monarchies. The highest titles are ''[[valtioneuvos]]'' (statesman) and ''[[vuorineuvos]]'' (industrial).
<!-- The current President of the Republic had a coat of arms designed shortly after entering office. The arms are surrounded by Sweden's highest decoration, [[Order of the Seraphim]]. -->

===Speeches===
[[File:The Finnish Broadcasting Company started regular television transmissions 1.1.1958. (21695684595).jpg|200px|thumb|Urho Kekkonen's New Year's speech (1.1.1958)]]
The president makes a number of important public speeches and statements each year. The most notable of these are the annual New Year's Speech on 1 January, and the speech at the opening of each annual session of parliament.

==Compensation==
From 2012 to 2013, the president received an annual salary of 160,000 euros. The salary and other benefits are exempt from all taxes.<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/2011/1152 An Act on the Presidential Salary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106055955/http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2011/20111152 |date=6 January 2013 }} (in Finnish)</ref> In 2013, the salary was cut to 126,000 euros on the initiative of Sauli Niinistö.<ref name="presidentinpalkkio" /> As of 1 March 2024, the salary was restored to its previous amount of 160,000 euros.<ref name="presidentinpalkkio" /> In addition to the salary the president is entitled to an apartment as well as necessary staff. Any president who serves for six years or longer is entitled to a full pension at "sixty percent of the currently valid remuneration of the president of the republic" as well as living arrangements. The president's salary and housing benefits are tax-free.

==Presidents of Finland==
{{Main|List of presidents of Finland}}
{{See also|List of presidents of Finland by time in office}}

==Official residences==
[[File:Kultaranta 2012 2.jpg|thumb|[[Kultaranta]], the summer residence of the President of Finland]]
The president has the use of three properties for residential and hospitality purposes: the [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki|Presidential Palace]] and [[Mäntyniemi]], both in [[Helsinki]], and [[Kultaranta]] in [[Naantali]] on the west coast near [[Turku]].

==Incapacity and succession==
{{Presidential orders of succession}}
The president of Finland does not have a [[vice president]]. If the president is temporarily prevented from performing his or her duties, the prime minister or the deputy prime minister serves as acting president until the president's incapacity ceases. If the president dies in office or if the Government declares that the president is permanently unable to carry out the duties of office, a new election is triggered to determine a successor. If the president, the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister are all temporarily unavailable, the most senior minister of the government, in years of service, becomes the acting president. The parliament can override these rules by means of an emergency constitutional amendment passed by a majority of at least 5/6, and has done so on multiple occasions.{{Source?|date=August 2022}}

==Impeachment==
If the chancellor of justice, the parliamentary ombudsman or the [[Finnish Government|Government]] deem that the president is guilty of treason or high treason, or [[crimes against humanity]], the matter shall be communicated to Parliament. If Parliament, by three-fourths of the votes cast, decides that charges are to be brought, the Prosecutor-General prosecutes the president in the High Court of Impeachment and the president abstains from office for the duration of the proceedings.{{cn|date=October 2020}} There is, however, no mechanism laid out in the Constitution or other laws for removing a president from office.

==Independence Day Reception==
{{main|Independence Day Reception (Finland)}}
[[File:Manni-Kekkonen-1965.jpg|right|thumb|Actor [[Tarmo Manni]] greeting President [[Urho Kekkonen]]'s wife [[Sylvi Kekkonen]] at the 1965 Independence Day Reception in the [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki|Presidential Palace]]]]
The traditional Independence Day Reception (in Finnish: ''Linnanjuhlat'', "the Castle [[Ball (dance)|Ball]]") at the Presidential Palace on 6 December is one of the key annual events in the presidential calendar. It originated as a celebration of Finland's national independence and pride, and although nowadays it is seen by some as a glorified social party, the reception is broadcast every year on Finnish television and has very high viewer ratings. The number of guests invited has varied from about 1,600 to 2,000. With the exception of ambassadors to Finland, only Finnish citizens are invited.

The history of the Independence Day reception stretches back to 1919, when the first afternoon reception was held at the [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki|Presidential Palace]]. In 1922, President [[Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg|Ståhlberg]] hosted the first evening reception at the palace, with the reception beginning at nine o' clock. Guests included the Government, diplomats, Members of Parliament, high-ranking officers, senior civil servants, artists and other prominent people. Music and dancing were on the programme and the reception lasted until late night. Similar receptions have been held ever since, though less regularly in the beginning.

Since 1946 the Independence Day reception has taken place at the Presidential Palace every year with six exceptions. In 1952 it was cancelled on account of President Paasikivi's illness. In 1972 it was held at [[Finlandia Hall]] in connection with the Independence Day concert, with the Prime Minister as host, because the Presidential Palace was being renovated. In 1974 it was cancelled on account of the death of President Kekkonen's wife only a few days prior to the reception. In 1981 it was held at [[Finlandia Hall]] after the Independence Day concert, with Deputy Prime Minister [[Eino Uusitalo]] as host, because President Kekkonen had resigned in October and Acting President [[Mauno Koivisto]] was campaigning for the presidency. In 2013, the reception was held at the [[Tampere Hall]] in central [[Tampere]], because the Presidential Palace in Helsinki was undergoing repairs at the time. This was the first time during the era of independence that the reception was held outside Helsinki. In 2020, the reception was cancelled because of the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Parkkinen, Pia: [https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11568594 Perinteiset Linnan juhlat peruttu – presidentti Niinistö: "Juhlimme Suomea uudenlaisen ohjelman kautta"], [[YLE]] 29 September 2020. Accessed on 3 October 2020.</ref>

The president and [[Spouses of presidents of Finland|president's spouse]] greet the guests individually in the State Hall at the beginning of the evening. Later on there is dancing, music provided by the Guards Band, and a traditional buffet.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

==History==
[[File:President of Finland P. E. Svinhufvud 75 years in 1936.jpg|right|thumb|The President of Finland [[P. E. Svinhufvud]]'s 75th birthday on 15 December 1936. Svinhufvud sitting on the dais with his wife [[Ellen Svinhufvud|Ellen]]; from them to the left, the President [[K. J. Ståhlberg]] and his wife [[Ester Ståhlberg|Ester]], the President [[Lauri Kristian Relander]] and his wife [[Signe Relander|Signe]] as well as the Prime Minister, later President [[Kyösti Kallio]] and his wife [[Kaisa Kallio|Kaisa]]. To the upper left of Signe Relander is the Minister of Justice, later President [[Urho Kekkonen]]]]
[[File:Ståhlberg in his office.jpg|thumb|[[K. J. Ståhlberg]], the 1st President of Finland, at his office in 1919]]

After Finland's independence and the [[Civil War in Finland]] the matter of whether Finland should be a [[republic]] or a [[constitutional monarchy]] was much debated (see [[Frederick Charles of Hesse]]), and the outcome was a compromise: a rather monarchy-like, strong presidency with great powers over [[Foreign relations of Finland|Finland's foreign affairs]], the appointment of the [[Finnish Government|Government]] and the officers of the [[civil service]]. The Constitution was changed in 2000, to redistribute some of this power to Parliament and the Government. The Constitution specifies how the principles of [[parliamentarism]] are to be followed. Most significantly, the president can no longer nominate the prime minister or individual ministers independently. For example, this power was previously used to form governments where the party in [[Plurality (voting)|plurality]] was excluded. Regarding the right to dissolve Parliament, consultation with the prime minister and heads of parliamentary groups was made mandatory before Parliament could be dissolved and new elections ordered. Furthermore, some appointing powers, such as appointment of provincial governors and department heads at ministries, were transferred to the [[Finnish Government|Government]].{{fact|date=October 2024}}

===Pre-republican heads of state===
From the declaration of Finland's independence on 6 December 1917 until the end of the [[Finnish Civil War]] in May 1918, [[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud]] was the head of state of [[White Finland]] in his capacity as chairman of the [[Senate of Finland|Senate]]. Between May 1918 and July 1919, Finland had two [[regent]]s ({{langx|fi|valtionhoitaja}}, {{langx|sv|stathållare}}, lit. ''Care-taker of State'') and, for a time, an elected king, although the latter renounced the throne:

*[[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud]], Regent (18 May 1918 – 12 December 1918)
**[[Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse]], elected as King of Finland on 7 October 1918 but never took office and renounced the throne on 4 December after Germany's defeat in [[World War I]]{{spaced ndash}}he had not time enough to arrive in Finland before the political climate changed following the end of the war. It is said that his [[regnal name]] was to be ''Väinö I of Finland'' ("Väinö" obviously referring to [[Väinämöinen]], one of the main characters in the Finnish national epic ''[[Kalevala]]''), but due to there not being contemporary records of this name it is widely considered a popular misbelief, probably created by columnist ''Väinö'' Nuorteva.
*[[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]], Regent (12 December 1918 – 26 July 1919)

Both Svinhufvud and Mannerheim later served as president of Finland.

<gallery class="center" caption="Gallery of Presidential state cars from different eras">
File:P. E. Svinhufvud tutustumassa uuteen edustusautoon.jpg|[[Chrysler Imperial]] from 1931
File:Paasikiven Cadillac.jpg|[[Cadillac]] from 1952
File:Kekkosen Chrysler 1968.jpg|[[Chrysler New Yorker]] from 1968
File:COA Finland on a Chrysler New Yorker for president Kekkonen, 1972.jpg|Chrysler New Yorker from 1972
File:Koiviston Cadillac.jpg|Cadillac from 1991
File:Ahtisaari's Mercedes W140.jpg|[[Mercedes-Benz]] from 1990s
File:Ennen Lippujuhlan päivän 2017 paraatin alkua 02 presidentti saapuu.JPG|Mercedes-Benz S600 L Guard from 2017
File:Finnish presidential Audi A8 at Senaatintori.jpg|[[Audi]] [[Audi A8|A8]] from 2025
</gallery>

==Timeline==
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:15
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:80 right:130 left:20
AlignBars = late

Colors     =

  id:ed     value:rgb(1,0.8,0)  legend:National_Progressive_Party 
  id:sdp    value:rgb(1,0.3,0.2)   legend:Social_Democratic_Party
  id:ind    value:gray(0.8)        legend:Independent
  id:kok    value:rgb(0.1,0.4,0.7) legend:National_Coalition_Party
  id:ml     value:kelleygreen      legend:Agrarian_League
  id:kesk   value:kelleygreen      legend:Centre_Party
  id:gray1  value:gray(0.8)
  id:gray2  value:gray(0.9)

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1919 till:31/12/{{#expr:{{#time:Y}}+1}}
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:gray1 unit:year increment:10 start:1920
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:gray2 unit:year increment:5 start:1920 
Legend     = columns:1 left:205 top:35 columnwidth:75

Define $now = {{#time:d/m/Y|-3 hours}}

TextData =
  pos:(25,30) textcolor:black fontsize:M
  text:"Political parties 1919-2024:"

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  bar:Ståhlberg
  bar:Relander
  bar:Svinhufvud
  bar:Kallio
  bar:Ryti
  bar:Mannerheim
  bar:Paasikivi
  bar:Kekkonen 
  bar:Koivisto
  bar:Ahtisaari
  bar:Halonen
  bar:Niinistö
  bar:Stubb

PlotData=
  width:8 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till
 bar:Ståhlberg
  from: 26/07/1919 till: 02/03/1925 color:ed text:"[[Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Relander
  from: 02/03/1925 till: 02/03/1931 color:ml text:"[[Lauri Kristian Relander]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Svinhufvud
  from: 02/03/1931 till: 01/03/1937 color:kok text:"[[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Kallio
  from: 01/03/1937 till: 19/12/1940 color:ml text:"[[Kyösti Kallio]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Ryti
  from: 19/12/1940 till: 04/08/1944 color:ed text:"[[Risto Ryti]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Mannerheim
  from: 04/08/1944 till: 11/03/1946 color:ind text:"[[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Paasikivi
  from: 11/03/1946 till: 01/03/1956 color:kok text:"[[Juho Kusti Paasikivi]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Kekkonen
  from: 01/03/1956 till: 27/01/1982 color:kesk text:"[[Urho Kekkonen]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Koivisto
  from: 27/01/1982 till: 01/03/1994 color:sdp text:"[[Mauno Koivisto]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Ahtisaari
  from: 01/03/1994 till: 01/03/2000 color:sdp text:"[[Martti Ahtisaari]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Halonen
  from: 01/03/2000 till: 01/03/2012 color:sdp text:"[[Tarja Halonen]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Niinistö
  from: 01/03/2012 till: 01/03/2024 color:kok text:"[[Sauli Niinistö]]" fontsize:10
 bar:Stubb
  from: 01/03/2024 till: $now       color:kok text:"[[Alexander Stubb]]" fontsize:10
}}

==See also==
*[[Prime Minister of Finland]]
**[[List of prime ministers of Finland]]
*[[List of Finnish rulers]]
*[[Political parties in Finland]]
*[[Spouses of presidents of Finland]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Presidents of Finland}}
* [https://www.presidentti.fi/en/ Official Site] (in English)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090713024528/http://www.presidentti.fi/english/ Archived former site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070604145148/http://www.om.fi/Etusivu/Perussaannoksia/Perustuslaki?lang=en The Constitution of Finland]

{{Finland topics}}
{{Finnish Defence Forces}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
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{{DEFAULTSORT:President of Finland}}
[[Category:Presidents of Finland| ]]
[[Category:Political office-holders in Finland]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Finland]]