Constitution, judiciary and public powers structure - finnish perspectives

AutorLaura Ervo
CargoDr. Professor of law, University of Örebro, Sweden
Páginas207-226
Revista Eletrônica de Direito Processual REDP.
Rio de Janeiro. Ano 14. Volume 21. Número 1. Janeiro a Abril de 2020
Periódico Quadrimestral da Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Direito Processual da UERJ
Patrono: José Carlos Barbosa Moreira (in mem.). ISSN 1982-7636. pp. 207-226
www.redp.uerj.br
207
CONSTITUTION, JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC POWERS STRUCTURE FINNISH
PERSPECTIVES1
CONSTITUIÇÃO, JUDICIÁRIO E ESTRUTURA DOS PODERES PÚBLICOS
PERSPECTIVAS FINLANDESAS
Laura Ervo
Dr. Professor of law, University of Örebro, Sweden. Adjunct
Professor (Docent), The universities of Helsinki, Turku and
Eastern Finland, Finland. E-mail: Laura.Ervo@oru.se
ABSTRACT: This papers analyses the main contents of the Finland Constitution and the
Judiciary. Finland Constitution is the basis of all legislation . It exercises of government power,
and it details the fundamental rules, values and principles of Finnish democracy. According to
the Constitution, judicial power lies with independent courts of law. The courts are independent:
they are bound only by the law in force. Finnish procedural law has been both internationalized
and constitutionalized since the 1990s and the result of court proceedings plays a more significant
role for the parties.
KEYWORDS: Constitution; Judiciary; Public Powers Structure; Finnish Perspective.
RESUMO: Este artigo analisa os principais conteúdos da Constituição da Finlândia e do
Judiciário. A Constituição da Finlândia é a base de toda a legislação. Ela exercita o poder
governamental e detalha as regras, valores e princípios fundamentais da democracia finlandesa.
De acordo com a Constituição, o Poder Judiciário cabe a tribunais independentes. Os tribunais
são independentes: eles estão vinculados apenas à lei em vigor. O direito processual finlandês foi
internacionalizado e constitucionalizado desde os anos 90 e o resultado dos processos judiciais
desempenha um papel relevante para as partes.
1 Artigo recebido em 03/10/2019, sob dispensa de revisão.
Revista Eletrônica de Direito Processual REDP.
Rio de Janeiro. Ano 14. Volume 21. Número 1. Janeiro a Abril de 2020
Periódico Quadrimestral da Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Direito Processual da UERJ
Patrono: José Carlos Barbosa Moreira (in mem.). ISSN 1982-7636. pp. 207-226
www.redp.uerj.br
208
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Constituição; Judiciário; Estrutura dos Poderes Públicos; Perspectiva
Finlandesa.
1. Introduction
1.1. The new Constitution and its main contents
The new Constitution (11.6.1999/731) entered into force on 1 March 2000. In Finland,
sovereign power lies with the people represented by the Parliament in session.2 The Constitution
is the cornerstone of all legislation and exercise of public power.3 It contains provisions on state
organization4, checks and balances5 and on civil rights6. No other enactment may contradict the
Constitution.7 To amend or change the constitution, the majority in two consecutive Parliaments
must adopt the changes.8 Also the new Constitution has been amended after its entry into force.
According to the Constitution, sovereign power rests with the people. Democracy entails
the individual right to influence decisions that affect us all.9 The Constitution furthermore
guarantees civil rights and liberties;10 it is the basis of all legislation and exercise of government
power,11 and it details the fundamental rules, values and principles of Finnish democracy. The
Constitution thus specifies the foundations of the relationship between the individual and
government. It also contains provisions about the principles of the exercise of power by
government, government organization and the relationships between the highest organs of
government.12
The Constitution thus emphasizes the parliamentary traits of the Finnish political system
and the status of the Parliament as the supreme state organ: the Government must enjoy its
confidence.13 The President of the Republic makes decisions on the basis of proposals drawn up
2 The Constitution, Chapter 1, Section 2.
3 The Constitution, Chapter 1, Section 2, Subsection 3.
4 The Constitution, Chapters 3, 5 and 6.
5 The Constitution, Chapters 3, 5 and 9.
6 The Constitution, Chapter 2.
7 The Constitution, Chapter 10, Section 106.
8 The Constitution, Chapter 6, Section 73.
9 The Constitution, Chapter 1, Section 2, Subsection 3.
10 The Constitution, Chapter 2.
11 The Constitution, Chapter 10, Section 106.
12 The Constitution, Chapter 5.
13 The Constitution, Chapter 1, Section 3, Subsection 2.

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