Finnish Government

The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finland's cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. However, in governmental translations to English, the distinction is often blurred between cabinet and government in the wider sense that includes the Parliament of Finland, on which the cabinet is dependent, the governmental agencies directed by the Cabinet, and the independent judicial branch of government; although this distinction is significant.

In 1918, after Finland's independence, the Cabinet, that in the Grand Duchy of Finland had been called the Senate of Finland, was reorganized and renamed to the Council of State. One of the main objectives of that reform was to separate the judiciary from the executive branch.

According to the recent revision of the Constitution of Finland (as of 2000), the power over foreign affairs is retained by the president, as it also is in France, although with a narrow definition of foreign affairs that excludes influence over preparations of decisions within the European Union. International treaties and declaration of war are within the authority of the parliament.

With the constitution of 2000, Finland adheres de jure to the principles of Parliamentarism, although de facto all presidents since Kyösti Kallio (1936–1940) have chosen to appoint cabinets supported or tolerated by parliamentary majorities.

Matters within the authority of the Cabinet are decided at plenary meetings, with a quorum of five ministers present, in the case of matters of wide importance and matters that are significant for reasons of principle. Less important matters are decided within the respective ministries.

Matters within the authority of the President are decided at plenary meetings of the Cabinet, with the exception of appointments, pardon, and calling of extraordinary elections.

Current Council of State

The current Council of State, the 69th to be formed since Finland's independence, was appointed by President Tarja Halonen on June 24, 2003. The current Council of State is a coalition comprising the Social Democrats (SDP), the Centre Party (KESK) and the Swedish People's Party (SFP).