Prime Minister of Finland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Republic of Finland |
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![]() Logo used by the Prime Minister’s Office
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Executive branch of the Finnish Government Prime Minister's Office |
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Member of |
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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 |
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.
Contents
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

Images for kids
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Kesäranta, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Finland, in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Finlandia para niños
- Deputy Prime Minister of Finland
- Finnish Government
- List of prime ministers of Finland