Local government and cooperation between municipalities

Central and local government are the basis of Finnish democracy, and, from the point of view of citizens making use of their democratic rights, the two are of equal importance. At the beginning of 2009, there are 348 municipalities, 16 of which are in the Åland Islands.

Finland’s municipalities are self-governing entities, which, under Finnish law, have the right to decide on their own matters. In fact, the municipalities and local government are the most extensive and important system of self-government in Finland.

The history of local self-government in Finland goes back for more than one thousand years and it is strengthened and protected by the country’s constitution. The State does not have any unlimited rights to interfere in the activities of self-governing entities, for example, by introducing special legislation.

Local government tasks and administration

Municipalities are responsible for providing their residents with statutory basic services. The most important of these are social welfare and health, education and culture, the environment, and technical infrastructure. Basic municipal services provide residents with fundamental security, a sound basis for everyday living, and a social safety net.

Local self-government is on the basis of political decision-making and municipalities must adhere to democratic principles.

The municipal council is the supreme decision-making body in a municipality. Its members are elected for a four-year term in local elections which are based on universal suffrage. The council elects members to the municipal board which is responsible for preparing matters for the council and putting its decisions into effect.

The municipal council also elects members to the municipal committees, which are in charge of providing local public services. The number and responsibilities of the committees vary between municipalities. The most common are the education committee, social welfare and health committee and planning committee.

The Act on Restructuring Local Government and Services came into effect in March 2007. The restructuring process, which is due to be completed by 2012, should put municipal services on a sufficiently solid structural and financial basis so that extensive welfare services can be secured in all parts of Finland. The process will have an impact on organizing local-government services, their funding and the division of labour between central and local government.

• LocalFinland.fi
  
  http://www.kunnat.net/k_etusivu.asp?path=1;161;279
  Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
• The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
  
  http://www.kunnat.net/k_peruslistasivu.asp?path=1;161;279;280;60954
  Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
• Local Authority Employers in Finland
  
  http://www.kuntatyonantajat.fi/index~id~3C33AE32DC744D87AB4ABC847A5C107D.asp
  Commission for Local Authority Employers
• Municipal boundaries
  Information on the municipal structure and formation and mergers of municipalities.
  
  http://www.vm.fi/vm/en/15_muncipal_affairs/025_municipal_boundaries/index.jsp
  Ministry of Finance
• Project to restructure municipalities and services
  The municipalities and the state cooperate in reforming municipal structures and services. The project will be completed by the end of 2012.
  
  http://www.vm.fi/vm/en/05_projects/02_paras/index.jsp
  Ministry of Finance

Diagram of the public administration

This diagram shows in highlight the position of local self-government in the structure of the public administration.

Printer-friendly version

Send Suomi.fi link

X

• Send Suomi.fi link
• Send e-mail
• Help

 

Bookmark	Facebook	Digg	Delicious	MySpace	Google	Yahoo!
StumbleUpon	Technorati	Reddit	Ask	Live	Blinklist	Twitter

 

Your name:

Your e-mail : Check your email address!

Recipient e-mail: Check your email address!

Your message (voluntary): Your friend has sent you a link to the Suomi.fi portal: Local government and cooperation between municipalities http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/in_focus/functioning_of_public_administration/local_government_and_cooperation_between_municipalities/index.html

 

The “Send Suomi.fi link” functionality lets you add Suomi.fi pages to your bookmarks and send Suomi.fi pages by e-mail to the recipients of your choice. You can also share Suomi.fi content with your network in social networking services. Using these services is usually free of charge, but they require user registration.