ABSTRACT
The Finnish political system is normally categorized as semi-presidential, with the executive functions divided between an elected president and a cabinet that is accountable to the Eduskunta, the unicameral national legislature. This chapter analyses parliamentary administration in Finland. The Eduskunta employs around 500 persons, roughly two-thirds of whom are women. The Eduskunta administration is not regulated by the constitution. Instead, the relevant provisions are in the parliamentary rules of procedure. The Committee Secretariat provides secretarial services for the committees as well as handles the preparation of matters to be brought before the committees and the arranging of related support functions. The Information and Communication Department is responsible for parliamentary communication, including via digital and social media channels. In order to understand the functions of the party group staff and MPs’ assistants, it is necessary to provide contextual information about party-political dynamics and the electoral system.
