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Prime Minister of Finland facts for kids

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Prime Minister of Republic of Finland
Logo of the Prime Minister of Finland.svg
Logo used by the Prime Minister’s Office
Petteri-Orpo-01 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Petteri Orpo
since 20 June 2023
Executive branch of the Finnish Government
Prime Minister's Office
Style
Member of
Residence Kesäranta
Appointer President
Term length Four years, renewable
Precursor Vice-Chairman of the Economic Division of the Senate of Finland
Formation 27 November 1917; 107 years ago (1917-11-27)
First holder Pehr Evind Svinhufvud
Salary €202,350 annually


The prime minister of Finland (Finnish: Suomen pääministeri; Swedish: Finlands statsminister) is the main leader of the Finnish Government. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country. The prime minister and their group of ministers, called the cabinet, make important decisions for Finland.

Even though the prime minister is officially ranked third in importance (after the president of Finland and the Speaker of the Parliament), they are usually the most powerful person in charge. Finland's first prime minister was Pehr Evind Svinhufvud. He started his job on November 27, 1917, just before Finland became an independent country.

The current prime minister is Petteri Orpo from the National Coalition Party. He became prime minister on June 20, 2023.

How the Prime Minister's Role Began

In 1918, a group called the Senate of Finland changed its name to the Finnish Government. At that time, the job of "vice-chairman of the Economic Division" became what we now call the prime minister.

Since 1919, the prime minister of Finland has lived in an official home called Kesäranta. It is located in Helsinki, the capital city.

Finland became independent in 1917. Since then, the country has had 72 different governments. The longest-serving prime minister was Paavo Lipponen. His two governments each lasted for a full four-year term, which is 1,464 days.

Choosing the Prime Minister

The prime minister is chosen after a big election for the Parliament of Finland. These elections happen every four years.

The Election Process

The Constitution of Finland explains how a prime minister is chosen. First, the president suggests a person for the job. This happens after different political parties in the parliament talk and agree on who should lead and what the government's plans will be.

The parliament then votes on the person the president suggested. To become prime minister, the person needs more than half of the votes. This is called an absolute majority. If the person doesn't get enough votes, the parties talk again, and the president suggests someone new.

If the second person also doesn't get enough votes, there's a third vote. In this round, any member of parliament can suggest a candidate. In this final vote, the person with the most votes wins, even if it's not more than half.

This way of choosing the prime minister was first used in 2003 when Anneli Jäätteenmäki became prime minister. Before the year 2000, the president had more power to choose the prime minister and other ministers. However, those ministers still needed the parliament's trust to stay in their jobs.

Forming the Government Team

Once the prime minister is chosen, they officially suggest the other ministers who will be part of the government. The president then appoints these ministers, with the parliament's approval.

In reality, the different political parties decide which jobs each party will get during their talks to form the government. So, the prime minister has to listen to what the other parties want when choosing their team.

Prime Minister's Pay and Perks

The prime minister of Finland earns a good salary. They get €12,173 each month. On top of that, they also receive half of what a regular member of parliament earns. This means their total monthly pay is at least €14,842. This money is taxed like any other income.

The prime minister also gets 30 days of vacation each year. The government pays for the upkeep, staff, and services at Kesäranta, their official home. However, they do not get free meals or a food allowance.

For safety and travel, the prime minister always has transportation and security services available to them.

Timeline of Prime Ministers

Petteri Orpo Sanna Marin Antti Rinne Juha Sipilä Alexander Stubb Jyrki Katainen Mari Kiviniemi Matti Vanhanen Anneli Jäätteenmäki Paavo Lipponen Esko Aho Harri Holkeri Eino Uusitalo Keijo Liinamaa Kalevi Sorsa Teuvo Aura Mauno Koivisto Rafael Paasio Johannes Virolainen Reino Ragnar Lehto Ahti Karjalainen Martti Miettunen Eemil Luukka Reino Kuuskoski Rainer von Fieandt V. J. Sukselainen Ralf Törngren Sakari Tuomioja Urho Kekkonen Karl-August Fagerholm Mauno Pekkala Carl Enckell Urho Castrén Antti Hackzell Edwin Linkomies Johan Wilhelm Rangell Rudolf Walden Risto Ryti Rudolf Holsti Toivo Mikael Kivimäki Oskari Mantere Juho Sunila Väinö Tanner Antti Tulenheimo Kyösti Kallio Aimo Cajander Rafael Erich Juho Vennola Kaarlo Castrén Lauri Ingman Juho Kusti Paasikivi Pehr Evind Svinhufvud

Images for kids

  • Pääministerien juhlalounas 27.9.2022

    Celebratory lunch of Finland's Prime Ministers on 27 September 2022

  • Kesäranta talvella 2

    Kesäranta, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Finland, in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Primer ministro de Finlandia para niños

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