Role of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister leads the Government's work and oversees the implementation of the Government Programme. If a matter is to be decided by the European Union and it falls within the Government's area of responsibility, the Prime Minister coordinates the preparation and consideration of the matter by the Government.
When the Prime Minister is prevented from attending to their duties, these are assumed by the minister designated to deputise for the Prime Minister. If the deputy is prevented from attending to the duties of the Prime Minister, these are assumed by the most senior minister.
Leading the Government
The Prime Minister leads the consideration of matters at government plenary sessions and has the right to set the dates and the order of presentation for the sessions. The Prime Minister may also determine the date by which a matter should be presented at a government plenary session. At the proposal of the Prime Minister or the minister concerned, the plenary session may decide that it should decide on a matter that would normally fall within the purview of a ministry.
The Prime Minister chairs all statutory ministerial committees. The Prime Minister also chairs:
- the Economic Council
- the Research and Innovation Council
- the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development
- the Title Board.
Heading the Prime Minister's Office
The Prime Minister heads the Prime Minister's Office, which is a ministry tasked with ensuring that the Prime Minister and the Government can continue working under any circumstances. The Prime Minister's Office assists the Prime Minister in the general management of the Government and oversees the implementation of the Government Programme under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
The Prime Minister’s Office is also responsible for the formulation and consideration of Finland's EU policy, the state ownership policy, and the ownership steering of the state-owned companies under its remit.
The Prime Minister's Office's mandate also covers government communications, security services and situation awareness, and the ministries' common administrative and specialist services.
Leading the Government's policy-making
The Prime Minister leads the Government's policy-making and reconciles the views of ministerial groups regarding the Government’s policy. The Prime Minister also coordinates the work between the Government and Parliament.
The Constitution, which entered into force in 2000, strengthened the Prime Minister's position in Finland. Under the Constitution, the President of the Republic may only call extraordinary parliamentary elections at the proposal of the Prime Minister and after consulting parliamentary groups.
Deputising for the President of the Republic
The Prime Minister deputises for the President of the Republic if the President is unable to perform their duties.