NB: Unofficial translation
PARLIAMENT’S RULES OF PROCEDURE
17December1999(40/2000,amendmentsupto63/2015included)
Chapter 1 — Parliamentary session
Section 1 — Convocation in session
TheParliamentshallconveneinsessioneveryyearonthefirstdayof
February,atnoon,unlesstheParliamenthasdecidedonanotherdateandtime
ofconvocation.Theopeningoftheparliamentarysessionshalltakeplace
withinthreedaysoftheconvocationoftheParliament.
TheParliamentshallconveneintheParliamentHouse.TheSpeakermay
decideonanotherplaceofconvocation,ifthereareunavoidablereasonsfor
thesame.
Section 2 — Examination of Credentials
Beforethefirstplenarysessionofanelectoralterm,theChancellorofJustice
oftheGovernmentshallexaminethecredentialsoftheRepresentatives.Alist
shallbedrawnupontheRepresentativeswhohavepresentedvalid
credentials.Thefirstplenarysessionoftheelectoraltermshallbeginwitha
rollcallinaccordancewiththelist.
TheChancellorofJusticeshallexaminealsothecredentialspresentedlater.
BeforeaRepresentativetakesoffice,heorsheshallpresenttheexamined
credentialstotheSpeaker,whothenmakesanannouncementofthesamein
plenarysession.
Section 3 — Interruption of the parliamentary session
TheParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,decideto
interrupttheparliamentarysessionandsetthetimeofreconvocationand
resumptionofparliamentarywork.Whiletheparliamentarysessionis
interrupted,parliamentaryactivitiesmaybecarriedoutonlyinsofarasthere
isaspecificstatutoryauthorisationtothiseffect.
TheSpeakermaysummontheParliamenttoresumeaninterrupted
parliamentarysession.
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Chapter 2 — Bodies elected by the Parliament
Section 4 — Election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers
Inthefirstplenarysessionofaparliamentarysession,theelectionsofthe
SpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersshallbeheld,withtheoldestMemberofthe
Parliamentpresiding.Beforetakingoffice,theSpeakerandtheDeputy
SpeakersshallmakethefollowingsolemnaffirmationbeforetheParliament:
“I---affirmthatinmyofficeasSpeakerIshalltothebestofmyabilitydefend
therightsofthepeopleofFinlandandoftheParliamentinaccordancewith
theConstitution.”
TheterminofficeoftheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakerselectedforthelast
parliamentarysessionofanelectoraltermshallcontinueuntilafterthenext
parliamentaryelectionhasbeenheld.
IftheSpeakeroraDeputySpeakerdiesorresignsfromofficeduringthe
parliamentarysession,anewSpeakerorDeputySpeakershallbeelected
withoutdelay.IftheSpeakeroraDeputySpeakeristemporarilyprevented
fromattendingtohisorherduties,theParliamentmay,ontheproposalofthe
Speaker’sCouncil,decideontheelectionofatemporarySpeakerorDeputy
Speaker.
Section 5 — Speaker and the Presidency
TheSpeaker,togetherwiththeSpeaker’sCouncil,shallleadparliamentary
activityinaccordancewiththeConstitutionandtheseRulesofProcedure.The
SpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersformthePresidency.
IftheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersarepreventedfromattendingtothe
dutiesofSpeaker,plenarysessionsshallbepresidedoverbytheoldest
memberoftheSpeaker’sCouncilpresentinthesession.Inthisevent,the
sessionshalldealwithannouncementsonly,includinganannouncementof
thetimeofthenextplenarysession,butnodecisionsshallbemadeonother
matters,unlessthereisanespeciallypressingreasonforthecontrary.
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Section 6 — Duties of the Speaker’s Council
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshall:
1.makeproposalsandissueinstructionsonthearrangementofparliamentary
work;
2.makeaproposalontheCommitteetowhichtoreferamatterfor
preparation,andontheCommitteewhichistoissueastatementonthe
matter;
3.Repealed(895/2012).
4.proposetheplenarysessionforwhichamatteristobedeferred;
5.adoptthescheduleofplenarysessions;
6.makeaproposaltotheplenarysessiononthefullorpartialforfeitureofa
Representative’sremunerationbyvirtueoftheActontheRemuneration
PayabletoRepresentatives(328/1947),andontheobtainmentofthe
statementoftheConstitutionalLawCommitteebyvirtueofsection28(3)of
theConstitution;
7.putforwardinitiativesfortheenactmentoflegislationgoverning
parliamentaryofficials,oftheParliament’sRulesofProcedureandofthe
Parliament’sElectionRules;
8.makeproposalsfortheadoptionofinstructionsfortheinternal
administrationoftheParliament,insofarastherighttomakesuchproposals
hasnotbeenassignedtotheOfficeCommission;
9.makeproposalsforrulesofproceduregoverningtheorgansappointedby
theParliament;
10.issuegeneralguidelinesonthesectorsofcompetenceandtheactivitiesof
theCommittees;
11.wherenecessary,decideontheparticipationofRepresentativesin
internationalco-operationotherthanthatreferredtoinsection10,andto
issuegeneralinstructionsonthesame;
11a)issueinstructionsondeclaringtheRepresentative'spersonalinterests
andonothercorrespondingpracticesrelatingtotheofficeasa
Representative;(63/2015)
12.makeproposalsontheseatingarrangementsoftheparliamentarygroups
intheplenaryhall;
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13.makeproposalsontheestablishmentoftemporaryCommitteesandonthe
numberofmembersandalternatememberstobeelectedinatemporary
Committee;
14.makedecisionsandproposalsonothermatters,ashasbeenprovided
elsewhere;and
15.actasaconsultativebodyinmatterswithinthecompetenceofthe
Speaker.
IfthereisatiedvoteintheSpeaker’sCouncil,theSpeakershallhavethe
castingvote.
IfamatterwithinthecompetenceoftheSpeaker’sCouncilcannotbe
presentedtotheSpeaker’sCouncilbyreasonofurgency,theSpeakermay
decidethematteronaprovisionalbasisuponpresentationbyanofficial
chargedwithpresentingmatterstotheSpeaker’sCouncilfordecision.The
provisionaldecisionshallbepresentedtotheSpeaker’sCouncilforratification
assoonaspossible.(118/2003)
Section 7 — Committees
TheParliamentshallhavethefollowingstandingCommittees:TheGrand
Committeeand,asspecializedCommittees,theConstitutionalLawCommittee,
theForeignAffairsCommittee,theFinanceCommittee,theAuditCommittee,
theAdministrationCommittee,theLegalAffairsCommittee,theTransportand
CommunicationsCommittee,theAgricultureandForestryCommittee,the
DefenceCommittee,theEducationandCultureCommittee,theSocialAffairs
andHealthCommittee,theCommerceCommittee,theCommitteeforthe
Future,theEmploymentandEqualityCommittee,andtheEnvironment
Committee.(609/2007)
TheParliamentmayestablishtemporaryCommittees.Thetermofa
temporaryCommitteeshallcontinueuntilithascompleteditstask.
TheGrandCommitteeshalladoptitsownrulesofprocedure.
Section 8 — Membership in Committees
TheGrandCommitteeshallhave25membersand13alternatemembers.The
standingspecialCommitteesshallhave17membersand9alternatemembers,
savefortheFinanceCommittee,whichshallhave21membersand19
alternatemembersandtheAuditCommittee,whichshallhave11members
and6alternatemembers(609/2007).
TheParliamentshalldecideonthenumberofmembersandalternate
membersinatemporaryCommittee.
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Wherenecessary,theParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheCommitteein
question,decidetoincreasethenumberofalternatemembersintheGrand
Committeeorthenumberofmembersoralternatemembersinanother
Committee.
Section 9 — Excuse from membership
ARepresentativewhohasalreadybeenelectedamemberoftwoCommittees
shallhavetherighttorefusemembershipinadditionalCommittees.
Foravalidreason,theParliamentmay,ontherequestofaRepresentative,
excusehimorherfrommembershipinaCommittee.
Section 10 — Representation of the Parliament in international bodies
TheParliamentshallelectfromamongitsmembers:
1.foreachparliamentarysession,18membersandanequalnumberof
alternatemembersfortheFinnishdelegationtotheNordicCouncil;
2.duringthefirstannualsessioninaparliamentaryterm,fivemembersofthe
FinnishdelegationtotheCouncilofEuropeandthesamenumberofalternate
members;aswellas(1190/2006)
3.foreachelectoralterm,sixdelegatesandanequalnumberofalternate
delegatesfortheParliamentaryAssemblyoftheOrganisationforSecurityand
CooperationinEurope,saiddelegatesformingtheFinnishdelegationtothe
ParliamentaryAssembly.
If,underaninternationalagreement,theParliamentistoparticipateinthe
activitiesofanotherbody,theParliamentshalldecideontheelectionofits
representativestherein.
TherepresentativesoftheParliament,referredtoinparagraphs(1)and(2),
shallsubmitannualreportstotheParliamentontheiractivities.TheSpeaker's
Councilmayissuegeneralinstructionsonhowtherepresentativesreferredto
inparagraph2shallbeincontactwithParliamentanditsorgans.
(1023/2009)
Section 11 — Parliamentary Ombudsman
AvacancyforthepositionofParliamentaryOmbudsmanorDeputy
OmbudsmanshallbeannouncedinthemannerdecidedbytheSpeaker’s
Council.TheelectionshalltakeplaceaftertheConstitutionalLawCommittee
hasevaluatedthecandidates.
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TheParliamentaryOmbudsmanshallsubmitanannualreporttothe
Parliament,asreferredtoinsection109oftheConstitution;wherenecessary,
theOmbudsmanmaysubmitalsospecialreportstotheParliament.
Section 12 —Repealed (9.5.2007/609)
Section 13 — Governors of the Bank of Finland and auditors of the Bank of
Finland (1190/2006)
Foreachelectoralterm,theParliamentshallelectninegovernorstosupervise
theoperationsoftheBankofFinlandandtheadministrationofthefundsfor
whichtheParliamentisresponsible.Thegovernorsshallsubmitanannual
reporttotheParliament;wherenecessary,theymaysubmitalsospecial
reportstotheParliament.Everyyear,theParliamentshallelecttheauditorsof
theBankofFinland,inaccordancewiththespecificprovisionsthereon.The
auditorsshallserveatthesametimeastheauditorsresponsibleforthe
Parliament’sfunds.
Section 14 — Auditors of the Parliament
TheParliamentshallelectfromamongitsmembersthreeauditorsanda
designateddeputyforeachauditor.TheauditorselectedbytheParliament
shallthenselectafourthauditorandhisorherdeputy,asprovidedinmore
detailintheParliament’sFinanceRules.
TheauditorsoftheParliamentshallauditthefinancesandadministrationof
theParliament.Theauditorsshallsubmitanannualauditreporttothe
Parliament.
Section 15 — Board of the Library of Parliament
Foreachelectoralterm,theParliamentshallelecttheboardoftheLibraryof
Parliament,inaccordancewiththespecificprovisionsthereon.
TheboardshallsubmitanannualreporttotheParliament.
Section 16 — Elections
TheParliamentshallholdelectionsasprovidedinmoredetailinthe
Parliament’sElectionRules.Apersonalelectionshallbeheldinthesame
mannerastheelectionoftheSpeaker,unlessotherwiseprovidedelsewhere.
Thereshallbenodebateduringanelection.
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TheParliamentshallelecttheSecretaryGeneralafterthevacancyhasbeen
announcedandtheOfficeCommissionhassubmitteditsopiniononthe
candidates.Ifthereareseveralcandidates,anelectionoftheSecretaryGeneral
shallbeheld.
TheParliamentshallelecttheDirectoroftheStateAuditOfficeafterthe
vacancyhasbeenannouncedandtheFinanceCommitteehasevaluatedthe
candidates.Ifthereareseveralcandidates,anelectionoftheDirectorofthe
StateAuditOfficeshallbeheld.
Section 17 — Appointment and organisation of committees (1190/2006)
TheParliamentshallappointthepermanentcommitteeswithoutdelayafterit
hasassembledforthefirstannualsessionofaparliamentaryterm.Onthe
proposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,acommitteemaybere-appointedafterthe
CouncilofStatehasbeenappointedfollowingageneralelection.(1190/2006)
Committeesshallconstitutethemselveswithoutdelayaftertheyhavebeen
appointed.
Foritsterm,eachCommitteeshallelectfromamongitsmembersa
chairpersonandadeputychairperson.UnlesstheCommitteeunanimously
decidesotherwise,theprovisionsontheelectionoftheSpeakerapply,inso
farasappropriate,totheelection.Theoutcomeoftheelectionofthe
chairpersonandthedeputychairpersonshallbeannouncedtotheParliament.
ThefirstmeetingofaCommitteeshallbeconvenedbyitsoldestmember.That
membershallpresideuntilthechairpersonhasbeenelected.
IfthechairpersonandthedeputychairpersonoftheCommitteeare
disqualifiedfromtheconsiderationofamatterorpreventedfromattendinga
meetingoftheCommittee,atemporarychairpersonshallbeelectedforthe
Committee.Theelectionshallbeheldinthesamemannerastheelectionof
thechairperson.
Theprovisionsofthissectionapply,insofarasappropriate,alsotothe
organisationoftheotherparliamentaryorgans.
Section 18 — Rules of procedure of the parliamentary organs (609/2007)
TheParliamentshalladopt,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,therules
ofprocedureoftheParliamentaryOmbudsman,thegovernorsoftheBankof
FinlandandthetrusteesoftheSocialInsuranceInstitution.Inaddition,the
Parliamentmayadoptothernecessaryrulesofprocedure.
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Chapter 3 —The initiation of matters in the Parliament
Section 19 — Announcement of matters
TheSpeakershallannounce,inaplenarysession,thearrivalofagovernment
proposal,acommunication,astatement,areport,anannualreport,adecree
oranothersubordinateactordecisionandcitizens’initiativeforconsideration
bytheParliament.(1272/2011)
TheSpeakershallalsoannouncethewithdrawalofagovernmentproposalor
aparliamentarymotion.Ifagovernmentproposalormotioniswithdrawn,its
considerationshallcease.
Section 20 — Parliamentary motions
ParliamentarymotionsshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Themotion
shallincludebriefjustifications.Asinglemotionmaynotincludeunconnected
matters,normayabudgetmotionproposemorethanonebudgetitemor
otherdecision.(71/2011)
AparliamentarymotionmaybesubmittedwhentheParliamentisinsession.
Abudgetarymotionmaybeputforwardonlyonthebasisofabudgetproposal
submittedtotheParliament;themotionmustbeputforwardatthelatestat
noononthetenthdayaftertheannouncementofthearrivaloftheproposal.A
budgetarymotiononthebasisofasupplementarybudgetproposalora
proposalcomplementingabudgetproposalshallbeputforwardatthelatest
atnoononthefourthdayaftertheannouncementofthearrivalofthe
proposal.(118/2003)
Thefirstsignatoryofaparliamentarymotionmaywithdrawthemotionin
writing.
Section 21 — Proposals on parliamentary work (71/2011)
ARepresentativeshallhavetherighttoproposetheamendmentofthe
Parliament’sRulesofProcedure,theestablishmentofatemporaryCommittee
andothermatterswithinthecompetenceoftheParliament,unlessthereare
specificprovisionsontheinitiationofsuchmatters.Theproposalshallbe
submittedtotheCentralOffice.Wherenecessary,theSpeaker’sCouncilmay
issueastatementontheproposal.
Section 22 — Interpellations (71/2011)
AninterpellationshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Theinterpellation
shallthenbepresentedinplenarysessionandsent,withoutdebate,tothe
Governmentforareply.
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Thereplytotheinterpellationshallbegiven,atatimeagreedwiththe
Speaker,within15daysoftheinterpellationhavingbeenmadeknowntothe
Government.
AvoteonconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbeconductedif,in
thecourseofthedebateonaninterpellation,avoteofnoconfidenceinthe
GovernmentoraMinisterhasbeenproposed.TheParliamentmaydecideto
referthemattertoaCommittee,whichshallmakeaproposalconcerningthe
decisiontobemadebytheParliament.
Section 23 — Government statements and government reports (71/2011)
AGovernmentstatementandaGovernmentreportshallbepresentedtothe
Parliament,afterwhichitshallbetakenupfordeliberationinaplenary
session.
AvoteonconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbeconductedif,in
thecourseofthedebateonaGovernmentstatement,avoteofnoconfidence
intheGovernmentoraMinisterhasbeenproposed.TheParliamentmay
decidetoreferthemattertoaCommittee,whichshallmakeaproposal
concerningthedecisiontobemadebytheParliament.
WhenadebateonaGovernmentreporthasbeenconcluded,theParliament
shalldecidetowhichCommitteethematteristobereferredaswellas
whetheroneormoreCommitteesshallsubmittheirstatement(s)onthe
mattertotheCommitteepreparingthematter.TheCommitteeshallpropose
thewordingofstatementofopinionontheGovernmentreport.However,
ParliamentmaydecidenottoreferthemattertoaCommittee,inwhichcase
theParliamentdoesnotadoptanopinionontheGovernmentreport.
Section 24 — Prime Minister’s announcements
AnannouncementbythePrimeMinister,oraMinisterdesignatedbythe
PrimeMinister,onatopicalissueshallbepresentedtoParliamentatatime
agreedwiththeSpeaker.(71/2011)
TheSpeakershalldecidewhethertoallowdebateontheannouncement.The
floormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.Whenthe
Speakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethe
debate.(895/2012)
Section 25 — Question time (895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethatadebatebeheldinplenarysessionto
allowfortheRepresentativestoputquestionstoMinisters(questiontime).
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Inthedebateduringaquestiontime,thefloormaybegivennotwithstanding
theprovisionsinsection50.TheSpeakershallgivethefloorto
RepresentativesforbriefquestionsandtoMinistersforresponsesasheorshe
seesfit.WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heor
sheshallclosethedebate.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonthematter.
Section 26 — Topical debates
ARepresentativemayproposetotheSpeaker’sCouncilthatadebatebeheld
inplenarysessiononagiventopicalissue.(71/2011)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideonwhethertoholdatopicaldebate.The
floormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.Whenthe
Speakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethe
debate.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonthematter.
Section 27 — Written questions
ARepresentativemayposeawrittenquestiontoaMinisteronamatterwithin
thecompetenceoftheMinister.Thequestion,whichmusthaveadefined
content,shallbesubmittedtotheSpeaker,whoshallthensendittothe
Government.Aquestioncanbeposedalsoduringaninterruptionofthe
parliamentarysession.
Theanswertoawrittenquestionshallbegivenwithin21daysofthequestion
beingsenttotheGovernment.Thereceiptofrepliestowrittenquestionsshall
berecordedintheminutesoftheplenarysession.(71/2011)
Thefirstsignatoryofaquestionmaywithdrawthequestioninwriting.
Foraspecialreason,theParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’s
Council,decidethateachRepresentativemayposeonlyalimitednumberof
writtenquestionsduringaparliamentarysessionorapartofasession.
Section 28 — Certain matters of criminal liability
Theinitiation,intheConstitutionalLawCommittee,ofamatterconcerningthe
legalresponsibilityofaMinister,asreferredtoinsection115ofthe
Constitution,shallbeannouncedinplenarysession.
AcommunicationpertainingtothePresidentoftheRepublic,asreferredtoin
section113oftheConstitution,shallbepresentedtotheParliamentand
referred,withoutdebate,totheConstitutionalLawCommitteeforanopinion.
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Section 29 — Declarations of personal interests (63/2015)
AcommunicationoftheGovernment,containinganaccountofthepersonal
interestsofaMinister,asreferredtoinsection63(2)oftheConstitution,shall
bepresentedtotheParliament.Adebateonthemattershallbeheldinplenary
session.TheParliamentshallnotmakeadecisiononthebasisofthe
communication.Thesameprovisionsapplywhensomeoneelsethana
MinistermakesastatutorydeclarationofpersonalintereststotheParliament.
ProvisionsondeclarationofpersonalinterestsofaRepresentativeisprovided
inSection76a.
Section 30 —European Union matters. (1023/2009)
TheSpeakershallreferacommunicationoftheGovernment,referredtoin
section96(2)oftheConstitutiontotheGrandCommitteeortheForeign
AffairsCommittee,dependingonthenatureofthematter.Atthesametime,
theSpeakershalldesignatetheCommitteethatistoprovideastatementto
theGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairsCommittee.TheGrandCommittee
ortheForeignAffairsCommitteemaysetadeadlineforthestatementofthat
Committee.
ThereferralofthecommunicationoftheGovernmenttotheCommitteesshall
beannouncedinplenarysession.
DocumentssuppliedtoParliamentbytheEuropeanUnion'sinstitutions
accordingtotheTreatyonEuropeanUnionthatwasconcludedinLisbonon
13December2007(EUTreaty),thatcontainaproposalforalegislativeact
shallberecordedasreceivedbytheGrandCommittee,whichshallsendthem
totheappropriatespecialcommitteesaswellastheLegislativeAssemblyof
ÅlandsothattheymayexpresstotheGrandCommitteetheiropiniononthe
legislativeproposalfromtheviewpointoftheprincipleofsubsidiarityas
definedinArticle5oftheEUTreaty.(1023/2009)
Parliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheGrandCommittee,decidetosenda
reasonedopinionasreferredtoinArticle6oftheprotocolontheapplication
oftheprinciplesofsubsidiarityandproportionalityattachedtotheEUTreaty
anddecideonParliament'spositionregardinganactionasreferredtoin
Article8oftheprotocol.IncasesreferredtoinArticle6oftheprotocol,
Parliament'sdecisionandthereportoftheGrandCommitteeshallbe
forwardedtotheEuropeanUnion'sinstitutions.(1023/2009)
TheexaminationofaninitiativetakenbytheEuropeanCouncilonthebasisof
Article48(7)oftheEUTreatyshallbesubjecttotheprovisionsinsection32.
(1023/2009)
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Section 30 a — Information received by a Committee (895/2012)
OnthemotionofaCommittee,theSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethat
informationreferredtoinsection47(2)oftheConstitutionbedebatedin
plenarysession;inthisevent,theParliamentshallnotmakeadecisiononthe
matter.Thefloormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.
WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshall
closethedebate.
Section 31 — Supplementary government proposals
Aproposalthatsupplementsanearliergovernmentproposalshallbereferred
totheCommitteewhichisdealingwiththeoriginalproposal.ThatCommittee
shalldealwiththeoriginalgovernmentproposalandthesupplementary
proposaljointly.
Section 31a — Audit Committee´s right of initiative (609/2007)
Theauditcommitteemayonitsowninitiativeraiseissuesthatarewithinthe
committee'sremitaccordingtosection90,paragraph1oftheConstitution
andmayissuereportsonthemfortheplenarysession.
Chapter 4 — Preparation of matters for plenary session
Section 32 — Referral to Committee
Governmentproposals,parliamentarymotions,legislativeproposalsleftin
abeyance,Actsnotconfirmed,citizens’initiatives,reportssubmittedtothe
Parliament,decreesandothersubordinateactsanddecisionssubjectedto
parliamentaryscrutiny,andproposalsfortheParliament’sRulesofProcedure,
proposalsforactsgoverningparliamentaryofficials,Parliament’sElection
Rulesandotherinstructionsandrulesofprocedure,Initiativestakenbythe
EuropeanCouncilonthebasisofArticle48(7)oftheEUTreatyaswellasthe
othermatterssoordained,shallbepreparedinCommitteebeforetheyare
takenupforadecisioninplenarysession.Inaddition,othermattersshallbe
referredtoCommitteeforpreparationwhentheParliamentsodecides.
(1272/2011)
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Adebate(introductorydebate)shallbeheldinplenarysessionforthe
purposeofreferringthesematterstoCommittee.Attheconclusionofthe
introductorydebate,theParliamentshalldecide,ontheproposalofthe
Speaker’sCouncil,towhichCommitteethematterisreferred.TheSpeaker’s
Councilmaydecideonthereferralofasupplementarygovernmentproposal
toCommitteewithoutanintroductorydebate;suchadecisionshallbe
announcedinplenarysession.Section33containsprovisionsonthereferral
ofpetitionarymotionstoCommittee.
Atthesametime,theParliamentmaydecidethatoneormoreother
CommitteesshallissueastatementtotheCommitteepreparingthematter.
Aproposalontheenactment,amendmentorrepealoftheConstitutionshall
bereferredforpreparationtotheConstitutionalLawCommittee.Theannual
reportoftheGovernmentshallbereferredforpreparationtotheAudit
Committee.AninitiativetakenbytheEuropeanCouncilasreferredtoin
paragraph1shallbesenttotheGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairs
Committeeforpreparatoryexamination.(1022/2013)
TheParliamentmayissueinstructionstotheCommitteesonthepreparation
ofthematter.
Section 33 — Referral of petitionary motions to Committee
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideonthereferralofapetitionarymotionto
Committee.Anannouncementofthereferralofapetitionarymotionto
Committeeshallbemadeinplenarysession.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayassignthedecisiononthereferralofapetitionary
motiontoCommitteetobemadebytheParliament;inthisevent,an
introductorydebateonthemattershallbeheldinplenarysession.
Section 34 — Order of business (10/2006)
ACommitteeshallwithoutdelaydealwiththemattersreferredtheretoand,as
thecasemaybe,issueitsreporttotheplenarysessionoritsstatementto
anotherCommittee.
MattersrelatingtotheconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbe
dealtwithasurgent.Ingeneral,aCommitteeshalldealfirstwithgovernment
proposalsandgovernmentcommunicationsonEuropeanUnionaffairs.
(71/2011)
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Governmentproposalsandparliamentarymotionsconcerningthesame
mattershallbedealtwithinconjunctionwitheachothershallbethesubject
ofajointreport,unlessspecialreasonsrequireadifferentproceduretobe
followed.Committeesshall,however,ensurethatreportsonGovernment
proposalsarenotdelayedbymattersbeingjoined.(10/2006)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsontheorderof
businesstobefollowedintheCommittees.
Section 35 — Meetings of the Committees
TheCommitteesshallmeetaccordingtotheirworkload.WhentheParliament
isinsession,theCommitteesshallmeetprimarilyonweekdaysotherthan
MondayorSaturday.ThechairpersonofaCommitteeshallcalltheCommittee
toameeting.
WhentheparliamentarysessionisinterruptedorwhentheParliamenthas
concludeditswork,aCommitteeshallmeetontheinitiativeofthechairperson
orifatleastonethirdofthemembersoftheCommitteesorequestfromthe
chairperson.ThechairpersonshallcalltheCommitteetoameetingalsoonthe
requestoftheGovernment.(71/2011)
WhenthechairpersonofaCommitteeispreventedfromattendingtohisor
herduties,theprovisionsinparagraphs(1)and(2)aboveapplytothedeputy
chairpersonoftheCommittee.IfamemberofaCommitteeispreventedfrom
attendingameetingoftheCommitteeordisqualifiedfromdealingwiththe
matterathand,analternatemembershalltakehisorherplace.
Section 36 — Right to be present in Committee meetings
TheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakershavetherighttobepresentin
Committeemeetings.
WhentheGrandCommitteeisconsideringalegislativematter,every
Representativehastherighttobepresentinthemeeting.However,the
RepresentativeelectedfromtheconstituencyoftheÅlandIslandshasalways
therighttobepresentinthemeetingsoftheGrandCommittee.
Section 37 — Hearing of experts
ACommitteemayhearexpertopinions.
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Whenacitizens'initiativeisbeingconsidered,theCommitteeshallreservethe
representativesoftheinitiative'sauthorsanopportunitytobeheard.Whena
legislativeproposaloranothermatterspecificallyinvolvingtheSámiisbeing
considered,theCommitteeshallreservetherepresentativesoftheSámian
opportunitytobeheard,unlesstherearespecialreasonsforthecontrary.
(1272/2011)
Section 38 — Statement of another Committee
ACommitteemayrequestthestatementofanotherCommitteeonamatter
underitspreparationoroninformationreferredtoinsection47(2)ofthe
Constitution.Inaddition,theGrandCommitteeandtheForeignAffairs
CommitteemayrequestthestatementofanotherCommitteeonaproposalor
reportreferredtoinsections96and97oftheConstitution.(118/2003)
If,inrespectofalegislativeproposaloranothermatterunderpreparationina
Committee,aquestionarisesastoitsconstitutionalityorrelationtohuman
rightstreaties,theCommitteeshallrequestastatementonthematterfrom
theConstitutionalLawCommittee.
Asregardsitsownfieldofcompetence,aCommitteemay,onitsowninitiative,
issueastatementontheStatebudgetproposaltotheFinanceCommittee
within30daysofthereferraloftheproposaltotheFinanceCommittee.
Section 39 — Consideration in Committee (10/2006)
Havingreceivedtheinformationnecessaryforadecisioninthematter,
Committeesshallconductapreparatorydiscussion,atwhichitsmembers
havetheopportunitytoexpresstheirviewsonthematterinallrespectsand
onthebasisofwhichthesecretaryoftheCommitteepreparesadraftofa
reportorstatement.Ageneraldiscussionshallbeconductedonthebasisof
thedraftandthemattergivenadetailedreading,atwhichadecisionismade
ontheCommittee’sproposalsaswellasonthereasonstobepresentedin
supportofthereportorstatement.
TheCommitteemaydecideunanimouslytoregardthedetailedreadingasthe
oneinwhichthefinaldecisioninthematterismade.Inothercases,thematter
shallbegivenaseparatedecisivereading,basedonthereportorstatement
adoptedbytheCommittee.Inthatcase,themembersoftheCommitteeshall
beaccordedtheopportunitytoconductageneraldiscussionandadetailed
readingshallbeconducted.
Aproposalforrejectionshallbedecidedonafterproposalsconcerningthe
contentsofthematterhavebeendealtwith.
Uponsecondedproposal,amattershallbedeferredoncetoasubsequent
meetingoftheCommittee.Afterthis,themattershallbedeferredifthe
Committeesodecides.(71/2011)
15
ACommitteemaychoosearepresentativefromamongitsownnumberto
substituteforitschairpersoninpresentingareportorstatementataplenary
sessionorattheGrandCommitteewhenastatementismadetoit.
Section 40 — Voting in a Committee (10/2006)
TheCommitteeshalldecideonthevotingproceduretobeusedinagiven
matter.However,anopenvote,inaccordancewiththerollcall,shallbetaken
ifthechairpersondeemsthisnecessaryoramemberoftheCommitteeso
demands.
Intheeventofatiedvote,thedecisionshallbemadebydrawinglots.
However,iftheConstitutionalLawCommitteevotesinamatterreferredtoin
section28andthereisatie,themorelenientpositionshallbethedecisionof
theCommittee.
Section 41 — Committee sections
ACommitteemayassignasection,fromamongitsmembers,topreparea
matterunderconsiderationandtodrawupadraftreportorstatement.
TheprovisionsontheconsiderationofmattersinaCommitteeapply,insofar
asappropriate,totheconsiderationofmattersinaCommitteesection.
Section 42 — Committee reports and statements (10/2006)
ThereportsandstatementsofaCommitteeshallbeconcise.Theproposalsof
theCommitteeshallbeformulatedasresolutions.Thesameappliesto
reservationsanddissentingopinions,unlessthesearelimitedtothe
expressionofapositiondifferentfromthatoftheCommittee.
Areportandastatementshallbearthenamesofthemembersparticipatingin
thedecisivereadingofthematter.Ifamemberhasparticipatedonlypartially,
thisshallalsobeindicated.
Areservationconcerningareportandadissentingopinionrelatingtoa
statementshallbesubmittedgtothesecretaryoftheCommitteewithinthe
timedeterminedbytheCommittee.Aprotestandadissentingopinionshall
correspondtothestanceofthesignatorieswhenthematterwasdecided.
(71/2011)
Areport,astatementandtheappendedreservationsanddissentingopinions
shallbescrutinisedbythesecretaryoftheCommittee,unlesstheCommittee
decidesotherwise.
16
Section 43 — Committee minutes (10/2006)
MinutesshallbekeptatCommitteemeetings,indicatingthememberspresent
andtheexpertsheardaswellastheproposalsanddecisionsmade,withvotes.
ThesecretaryoftheCommitteeshallvalidatetheminuteswithhisorher
signature.
Committeeminutesandotherdocumentsshallbearchivedinaccordancewith
separateinstructionsconfirmedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.
Section 43a — Publicity of Committee documents (10/2006)
Committeeminutesshallbestoredinaninformationnetworkaccessibleby
thepublic.Preparatorydocumentsconcerningamattershallbecomepublic
whenconsiderationofthematterbytheCommitteehasbeenconcluded.
However,aparliamentarygroupnotrepresentedonaCommitteeorasection
ofaCommitteeshallhavetherighttoreceivecopiesofthedocumentsrelating
toapendingmatter,unlesstheyaresecret.
ACommittee’sdocumentsshallbekeptsecretifdivulginginformationabout
themwouldcausesignificantharmtoFinland’sinternationalrelationsorto
capitalorfinancialmarkets.Documentscontainingconfidentialcommercialor
professionalinformationordetailsofaperson’sstateofhealthorfinancial
situationshallbekeptsecretifdivulginginformationonthemwouldcause
significantharmordamage,unlessacompellingpublicinterestrequirestheir
publication.ACommitteemay,foracomparablecompellingreason,decide
thatadocumentistobekeptsecret.
DocumentsdeclaredconfidentialbyaCommitteeinaccordancewithSection
50.3oftheConstitutionshallalsobekeptsecret.ArequestbytheGovernment
thataCommitteeobserveconfidentialityinamatterrelatingtoFinland's
internationalrelationsorEuropeanUnionmattersshallbecompliedwithuntil
theCommitteeinquestionhasmadeadecisionconcerningtherequest.
TheprovisionsofSection31oftheActonOpennessofGovernmentActivities
(621/1999)shallapply,whereappropriate,tothelengthoftheperiodfor
whichaCommittee’sdocumentsshallbekeptsecret,unlesstheCommittee
decidesonashorterperiod.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsconcerningthe
publicityofcommitteedocuments.
Section 44 — Grand Committee (10/2006)
UnlessotherwiseprovidedintheRulesofProcedureoftheGrandCommittee,
theprovisionsinsections34,35,37and39—43and43aapply,insofaras
appropriate,totheconsiderationofmattersintheGrandCommittee.
17
Chapter 5 — Consideration of matters in plenary session
Section 45 — Plenary sessions
PlenarysessionsshallbeheldaccordingtotheworkloadoftheParliament.
TheSpeakershallconvenetheplenarysessions,wherepossibleinaccordance
withascheduleofplenarysessionsadoptedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.Plenary
sessionsshallprimarilybeheldonweekdaysotherthanMondayorSaturday.
Section 46 — Agendas of plenary sessions
Theagendasofplenarysessionsshallcontainalistofthematterstobe
considered,theirstageofconsiderationandthepertinentdocuments.
TheSpeakershalldeterminetheagendasofplenarysessions.Whenmatters
arebeingincludedintheagenda,theearlierdecisionsoftheParliamentand
thescheduleofplenarysessionsadoptedbytheSpeaker’sCouncilshallbe
takenintoaccount.
TheSpeakerhastherighttoalterapostedagendaandtointerruptthe
considerationofamatter.
Section 47 — Presence
Therollshallbecalledinthebeginningofeachplenarysession.Inaplenary
sessionheldlateronthesameday,therollneednotbecalled,atthediscretion
oftheSpeaker;inthisevent,theRepresentativespresentintheearlierplenary
sessionshallbedeemedpresent.
Arepresentativewhoappearsinplenarysessionwithin15minutesoftheroll
call,shallbedeemedtohavebeenpresentintherollcall.ARepresentative
appearinglaterthanthisshallbedeemedtohavebeenpresentasfromthe
timewhenheorsheannounceshimselforherselftotheSpeaker.
Subsection3repealed(895/2012)
Section 48 — Recording absence (219/2007)
Arecordofanabsencefromaplenarysessionbecauseofataskassociated
withparliamentaryworkorduetoillness,maternity,paternityorparental
leaveshallbeenteredintheminutesoftheplenarysession.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissueguidelinesconcerningthetaskstobe
deemedasassociatedwithparliamentaryworkaswellasconcerningthe
recordingofattendancesandabsences.
18
Section 49 — Speaker's duties in plenary sessions
TheSpeakershallchairtheplenarysessionandmaintainordertherein,as
wellasmaketheproposalsfordecisionsandforvoting.TheSpeakershall
makeproposalsonlyasisrequiredfortheimplementationoftheConstitution,
theParliament’sRulesofProcedureandthedecisionsoftheParliament.
TheSpeakershallseetoitthatthosewhohavethefloorkeeptotheissue
underconsideration.Ifapersonwhohasthefloordigresses,theSpeakershall
exhorthimorhertokeeptotheissue.Iftheexhortationisnotheeded,the
Speakermaydenythefloortothepersoninquestion.
Section 50 — Giving the floor
Inplenarysession,theRepresentativesshallbegiventhefloorintheorderof
requests.
Beforethefloorisgiventootherswhorequestit,itshallbegrantedtothe
spokespersonofaCommitteeand,inthecaseofaparliamentarymotion
duringanintroductorydebate,tothefirstsignatoryofthemotion,ortothe
chairpersonofaParliament-appointedbodythathasgivenitsreport,ifthis
personisaRepresentative,ortoaRepresentativedesignatedbythebody.The
SpeakermaygivetheflooralsotoaspokespersonofaCommitteethathas
presenteditsstatementand,whenaspecialgroundexists,tothefirst
signatoryofareservation,aftertheotherpresentationshavebeenmade.After
aninterpellationhasbeenrepliedto,thefloorshallbegivenfirsttothefirst
signatoryoftheinterpellation.(10/2006)
TheSpeakermay,athisorherdiscretion,givethefloortoaMinister,the
ChancellorofJusticeoftheGovernmentortheParliamentaryOmbudsman
beforeothersrequestingthefloor.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayreserveapartofadebateinadvanceforspeeches,
whichshallhaveamaximumdurationfixedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.
Sections24–26and30aapplytothegivingofthefloorduringtopicaldebates,
questiontimesandthedebatesarisingfromthePrimeMinister’s
announcements.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonrequestingthe
floorandonspeaking.
19
Section 51 — Group speeches
WhenthedebateconcernstheStatebudget,agovernmentstatementor
reportoraninterpellation,thefloorshallbegivenforgroupspeeches,unless
theSpeaker’sCouncildecidesotherwise.TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecide
thattheflooristobegivenforgroupspeechesalsowhenothersignificant
mattersarebeingconsidered.However,theprovisionsinsection50(2)and
(3)applytothegivingofthefloorforgroupspeeches.
Theorderofthegroupspeechesshallcorrespondtothesizeofthe
parliamentarygroupsconstitutedinthebeginningofanelectoralterm,from
thelargesttothesmallest.Theorderofgroupsofthesamesizeshallbe
determinedbytheSpeaker'sCouncilbydrawinglots.TheSpeaker’sCouncil
mayaltertheorderofgroupspeechesif,duringtheelectoralterm,a
parliamentarygroupofatleastthreeRepresentativeshasbeenconstitutedor
ifthereisanotherpersuasivereasonforthealterationoftheorder.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethat,afterthegroupspeeches,other
requestsforthefloormadebeforethesessioncanbegrantedintheorder
referredtoinparagraph(2).
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecidethestageofthedebateatwhichthe
Representativesinparliamentarygroupsnotincludedintheorderreferredto
inparagraph(2)canmaketheirspeeches.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsontheapplication
ofparagraphs(1)–(4).
Section 52 — Responses
Notwithstandingtheprovisionsinsections50and51,theSpeakermaygive
thefloorforbriefresponsesathisorherdiscretion.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonresponses.
Section 53 — Consideration of a legislative proposal (895/2012)
Amattercontainingalegislativeproposalshallbeconsideredintheplenary
sessionintworeadingsonthebasisofthereportofaCommittee.
20
Inthefirstreading,thereportoftheCommitteeshallbepresentedanda
generaldebateheld.Thecontentofthelegislativeproposalshallthenbe
consideredindetailanddecided.Duringtheconsiderationindetail,the
contentsofthelegislativeproposalmaybeadoptedonthebasisofthe
Committeereportwithoutgoingintothetextoftheactualsections,insofaras
thedocumentsonthematterdonotcontainproposalsforalterations
divergingfromthereportandnosuchproposalshavebeenmadein
accordancewiththeprocedureprovidedinsection58,either.Inthefirst
reading,noproposalshallbemadefortherejectionofthelegislativeproposal.
Ifthecontentofthelegislativeproposalisadoptedaccordingtothe
Committeereport,thefirstreadingofthemattershallbeconcluded.Ifthisis
notthecase,themattershallbereferredtotheGrandCommitteeintheform
containedinthedecisionoftheParliament.TheGrandCommitteemayconcur
withthedecisionoftheParliamentorproposealterationstoit.IftheGrand
Committeeproposesalterations,theParliamentshalldecideonwhetherthese
areadoptedornot.Thereafter,thefirstreadingofthemattershallbe
concluded.
Inthesecondreading,whichshalltakeplacenotearlierthanonthethirdday
aftertheconclusionofthefirstreading,theParliamentshalldecidetoadoptor
rejectthelegislativeproposalaswellasonanystatementsitmaywishto
make.
Aproposalfordeclaringalegislativeproposalurgent,unlessmadeinthe
Committeereport,shallbemadeinthesecondreadingofthematterbefore
theconclusionofthedebate.
Duringthefirstreading,theParliamentmayre-referthemattertothe
CommitteewhichprepareditortoanotherspecialCommittee,orduringthe
generaldebatetotheGrandCommittee.Thereadingshallresumeonthebasis
ofthenewreportonceithasbeencompleted.
Section 54 — Consideration of a legislative proposal left in abeyance and an
unconfirmed Act
AlegislativeproposalleftinabeyanceandanunconfirmedActshallbe
consideredinplenarysessioninonereading.Inthebeginningofthereading,
thereportoftheCommitteeshallbepresentedandadebateonthematter
held.Thereafter,adecisionshallbemadeontheadoptionofthelegislative
proposalortheActwithoutmaterialalterations,oronitsrejection.
21
Section 55 — Single reading
Mattersontheagendaoftheplenarysession,otherthanthosereferredtoin
sections53and54,tobedecidedonbytheParliamentandnotsubjectto
differentprovisionselsewhere,shallbeconsideredintheplenarysessionina
singlereading.(895/2012)
Section59containsprovisionsontheconsiderationofaStatebudget
proposal.
Section 56 — Acceptance of international obligations and their denouncement
Amatteroftheacceptanceofinternationalobligationsortheirdenouncement
shallbeconsideredinasinglereadingonthebasisofaCommitteereport.
IftheCommitteereportcomprisesproposalsonboththeacceptanceofan
internationalobligationanditsimplementingAct,theproposalonthe
obligationshallbepresentedforthesinglereadingatthesametimeasthe
legislativeproposalispresentedforthesecondreading.TheParliamentshall
firstdecideontheproposalontheobligation.
Section 57 — Deferral (71/2011)
Amattershallbedeferredfromanintroductorydebatetooneoftheclosest
followingplenarysessions,ifaRepresentativesorequests.Thereafter,the
mattermaynotbedeferredfromtheintroductorydebate.
ACommitteereportshallfirstbepresentedfordeferraltoasessionthatis
heldonthenextdayattheearliest.However,foraspecialreasonParliament
maydecidetodeferthemattertoaplenarysessionheldlateronthesameday.
Inafirstreadingandinthereadingreferredtoinsections54and55,the
mattershalluponsecondedproposalbedeferredonce.Otherwisethematter
shallbedeferredifParliamentsodecides.
Oncethedebateonagovernmentstatementorreportoraninterpellationhas
begun,themattershallnotbedeferred.Theprovisionsondeferraldonot
applytothePrimeMinister’sannouncementsortotopicaldebates.
Section 58 — Proposals for amendment
AproposalmadebyaRepresentativeinplenarysessionandnotincludedin
thedocumentsshallbehandedintotheSpeakerinwriting,iftheSpeakerso
requests.
22
Aproposalforamendmenttobemadeinthefirstreadingofalegislative
matterandnotincludedinthedocumentsshall,ifpossible,beprovidedtothe
CentralOfficewithoutastatementofreasons,atleasttwohoursbeforethe
plenarysession.TheproposalshallbedistributedtotheRepresentatives
beforeadecisionismadeonthematter.Foraspecialreason,theSpeakermay
presentaproposalforvotingevenifitisproposedlater.(71/2011)
Theprovisionsinparagraph(2)applytoaproposalmadeinthesecond
readingofalegislativematter,aswellastoaproposalmadeinareading
referredtoinsections54and55,wherenotconcerningrejection.
Section59(2)containsprovisionsonthemakingofproposalsforamendment
duringtheconsiderationoftheStatebudgetproposal.
Section 59 — Consideration of a budget proposal
TheStatebudgetproposalshallbeconsideredinasinglereadinginaplenary
sessiononthebasisofareportoftheFinanceCommitteeaccordingtothe
procedureapprovedbytheParliament.Aclassorsectioninthebudget
proposalorachapterthereofshallbenotedtohavebeenadoptedasit
appearsinthereport,ifnoproposalsforamendmenttheretohavebeenmade
asprovidedforlaterinthisparagraph.(895/2012)
AproposaltoamendthereportoftheFinanceCommitteeshallbesubmitted
totheCentralOfficewithinthetimedeterminedbytheParliament,evenifitis
includedinthedocuments.Aproposalmadelatershallnotbetakenupfor
consideration,unlesstheSpeakerforaspecialreasondeemsitsconsideration
necessary.(71/2011)
Aproposalconcerningtheinclusionofanewappropriationorotherdecision
inthebudget,notincludedintheGovernmentproposal,canbetakeninto
accountwhenadecisiononthebudgetisbeingmade,onlyifithasbeen
initiatedbywayofabudgetarymotion.(71/2011)
IftheParliamenthasnotadoptedthereportoftheFinanceCommitteewithout
alterations,themattershallbere-referredtotheFinanceCommittee.The
CommitteemayconcurwiththepositionoftheParliamentorpropose
amendmentsthereto.IftheCommitteeproposesamendments,theParliament
shalldecidewhethertoadoptorrejectthem.
IfthepublicationoftheStatebudgetisdelayedintothenewbudgetaryyear,
theFinanceCommitteeshallproposetotheParliamenthowtheStatebudget
proposalbeappliedasaprovisionalbudget.TheproposaloftheCommittee
shallbeconsidered,insofarasappropriate,inaccordancewiththesame
procedureasthebudgetproposal.
Theprovisionsontheconsiderationofthebudgetproposalapply,insofaras
appropriate,totheconsiderationofthesupplementarybudgetproposal.
23
Section 60 — Proposals for decision and for voting
Whenthedebateonthematterathandhasbeenconcluded,theSpeakershall
presentasummaryontheproposalsmade.Ifanobjectionismadeagainstthe
summaryoftheSpeaker,andtheSpeakerconsiderstheobjectionjustified,he
orsheshallrectifythesummary.IftheSpeakerconsidersthattheobjection
doesnotwarrantachangeinthesummary,theParliamentshalldecideonthe
summary.(895/2012)
Afterpresentingthesummary,theSpeakershallmakeaproposalfortheorder
ofvotingontheproposals.IfthereisacallforthealterationoftheSpeaker’s
proposalfortheorderofvoting,buttheSpeakerconsidersthecall
unwarranted,theParliamentshalldecideontheorderofvoting.
Oncetheorderofvotinghasbeendecided,theSpeakershallpresentthe
matterforvotingsothatthereply“Yes”or“No”expressesthedecisionofthe
Parliament.Ifthereareseveralproposalsfordecision,theyshallbevotedon
oneagainstanother,untilavotehasbeentakenonallofthem.
AproposalmadebyaRepresentative,butnotseconded,shallnotbetakenup
foravote.
Thereshallbenootherdebateonthematterscoveredbythissection.There
shalllikewisebenovotetakenonwhetheravoteshouldbetaken.
Section 61 — Mode of voting
Avoteshallbetakenbythevotingapparatus,bystandinguporbyopenballot.
TheSpeakershallannouncethemodeofvoting.Thereshallbenodebateon
themodeofvoting.
Avoteshallbetakenbythevotingapparatus,regardlessofwhetheravotehas
alreadybeentakenbystandingup,iftheSpeakerdeemsthisnecessary,ifthe
votebystandinguphasintheopinionoftheSpeakernotyieldedaclearresult
orifaRepresentativesorequests.
Avoteshallbetakenbyopenballotifthevotingapparatusisoutoforder,if
thevotebyusingthevotingapparatushasintheopinionoftheSpeakernot
yieldedaclearresultorifthereisatie.However,ifthereisatieinavotenot
pertainingtothefinaldecisionoftheParliamentatthecurrentstageof
consideration,thevoteshallberetakenbythevotingapparatus,andavoteby
openballotshallbetakenonlyifthereisatiealsointhissecondvotebyusing
thevotingapparatus.
TheParliament’sElectionRulescontainmoredetailedprovisionsonthe
votingprocedureinelections.
24
Section 62 — Vote by open ballot
Avotebyopenballotshallbetakeninaccordancewiththerollcall,byusing
ballotsofvariouscolours.Aballotshallbearthepre-printednameofthe
Representativeandtheword"Yes","No"or"Abstention”.Aballotnot
conformingtothisprovisionshallbevoid.TheRepresentativesshallputtheir
ballotsintotheballot-boxintheorderthattheirnamesarecalled.Theballots
shallbereadoutaloudandcounted.
Section 63 — Result of a vote
TheSpeakershalldeclaretheresultofavote.
Theresultsofallvotesshallbearchivedandpublished.(895/2012)
Thereshallbenodebateonthismatter.(895/2012)
Section 64 — Reasons in a Committee report
ThereasonscontainedinaCommitteereportshallbedeemedtohavebeen
adopted,unlesstheParliamentdecidesotherwise.
Section 65 — Election of the Prime Minister
ThenotificationofthePresidentoftheRepublictotheParliamentconcerning
thenomineeforPrimeMinistershallbeintroducedintheParliamentand
deferredtooneofthefollowingsessions.Avoteontheelectionofthenominee
asPrimeMinistershallbetakenbythevotingapparatusorbyopenballot.The
Speakershallannouncethemodeofvoting.
AnelectionofthePrimeMinister,asreferredtoinsection61(3)ofthe
Constitution,shallbeheldinaccordancewiththerollcall,byusingballots
bearingonlythepreprintednameoftheRepresentative.TheRepresentative
shallwriteintheballotthenameofthepersonvotedfor,soclearlythatthere
isnodoubtastowhothatpersonis,orcastablankballot.Aballotnot
conformingtothisprovisionshallbevoid.Theballotsshallbereadoutaloud
andcounted.
Theminutesshallcontainanoteonhoweveryonehasvoted.
Thereshallbenodebateonmattersreferredtointhissection.
Section 66 — Maintenance of order in plenary sessions
Thereshallbenoopenexpressionsofapprovalordisapprovalinplenary
sessionsoftheParliament.
25
Thepersonsfollowingtheplenarysessioninthegalleryshallabidebythe
instructionsissuedbytheOfficeCommissionandtheotherrulesforthe
maintenanceoforder.Ifnecessaryforareturntoorder,theSpeakermayhave
thegallerycleared.
Section 67 — Closed sessions
IftheSpeakerdeemsthatamatterisbynaturesuchthatitcannotbe
consideredinopensession,orif25Representativesmovethatamatterbe
consideredinclosedsession,theSpeakershallhavethegalleryclearedand
proposethattheParliamentdecide,inaccordancewithsection50(1)ofthe
Constitution,whetherthematteristobeconsideredinclosedsession.
TheParliamentshalldecideontheaccessto,orsecrecyof,theminutesofa
closedsessionandthedocumentsdealtwithduringthesession.
Chapter 6 — Parliamentary documents
Section 68 — Parliamentary replies and communications
ThedecisionoftheParliamentonagovernmentproposalshallbenotifiedto
theGovernmentbywayofaparliamentaryreply.However,theStatebudget,
asadoptedbytheParliament,andtheotherdecisionsandnotificationsbythe
Parliamentshallbenotifiedbywayofaparliamentarycommunication.
Alistshallbedrawnup,forthefinalparliamentarysessionofanelectoral
term,onthegovernmentproposals,decreesandothersubordinateactsand
decisions,andreports,whoseconsiderationhasnotbeenconcludedand
whichhavethereforelapsed.Thelapsedmattersinthelistshallbenotifiedby
wayofacommunicationtotheGovernmentor,ifareportwasnotsubmitted
bytheGovernment,tothepartywhichsubmittedthereport.
TheSpeakerandtheSecretaryGeneraloftheParliamentshallsignthe
parliamentaryrepliesandcommunications.
Wherenecessary,theSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideontherevisionofthe
wordingofaparliamentaryreplyorcommunication.
Section 69 — Minutes of plenary sessions (895/2012)
Minutesshallbekeptonplenarysessions,containingnotesonthe
considerationofmattersanddebatesheldinplenarysession.Notesonthe
decisionsmadeinplenaryshallbepublishedwithoutdelayinaninformation
network.
Aspeechtobenotedintheminutesshallbesubjectedtothescrutinyofthe
speaker.Nomaterialalterationsshallbemadeinthespeech.
26
IfaRepresentativehasnotconcurredwiththedecisionoftheplenarysession,
heorshehastherighttohaveadissentingopinionnotedintheminutes.
TheminutesshallbesignedbytheSecretaryGeneral.Theminutesshallbe
madeavailabletothepublicwithoutdelayinaninformationnetwork.
Section 70 — Protocols of plenary sessions
Aprotocolshallbedrawnupofeachplenarysessionwithoutdelay;the
protocolshallcontainnotesonthedecisionsmade.
TheprotocolshallbepubliconcetheSecretaryGeneralhassignedit.
Section 71 — Publication of parliamentary documents (71/2011)
Parliamentarydocumentsshallbemadeavailabletothepublicinan
informationnetwork.Theparliamentarydocumentsshallcontaintheminutes
oftheplenarysessionsoftheParliamentandtheabridgedSwedisheditionsof
theminutes,thegovernmentproposals,thecommunicationsonthe
withdrawalofgovernmentproposals,theGovernmentcommunicationstothe
Parliament,thedecreesandothersubordinateactsanddecisionssubjectedto
parliamentaryscrutiny,citizens’initiatives,reports,governmentstatements
andreports,thelistoflegislativeproposalsleftinabeyance,thereportsand
statementsoftheCommittees,theparliamentaryrepliesandcommunications,
theparliamentarymotions,interpellationsandwrittenquestionswithreplies.
(1272/2011)
Thedocumentsreferredtoinparagraph(1)canadditionallybepublishedin
printorinotherform.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedguidelinesonpublicationof
parliamentarydocuments.
Chapter 7 — Administration of the Parliament
Section 72 — Office Commission
TheOfficeCommissionshallseetotheadministrationoftheParliament.The
OfficeCommissionshallbecomposedoftheSpeaker,theDeputySpeakersand
fourmemberselectedbytheParliamentfromamongitsmembers,andfour
alternatesforthememberselectedbytheParliament.
TheOfficeCommissionshallhaveaquorumwithfivememberspresent.Inthe
eventofatiedvote,theSpeakershallhavethecastingvote.TheOffice
Commissionmaymakedecisionsalsowithfourmemberspresent,iftheseare
unanimous.
27
MattersshallbepresentedtotheOfficeCommissionbytheSecretaryGeneral
oftheParliament,bytheDirectorofAdministrationintheParliament,aswell
asbytheotherofficialsintheParliamentaryOfficedesignatedbytheOffice
Commissionaspresentingofficials.
Wherenecessary,theOfficeCommissionmayconvenealsowhenthe
parliamentarysessionisinterruptedandwhentheParliamenthasconcluded
itswork.
IfamatterwithinthecompetenceoftheOfficeCommissionissourgentthat
thereisnotimetopresentittotheOfficeCommission,theSpeakershallmake
aprovisionaldecisiononthematteruponthepresentationofapresenting
official.Theprovisionaldecisionshallbepresentedfortheapprovalofthe
OfficeCommissionassoonaspossible.
Section 73 — Duties of the Office Commission
TheOfficeCommissionshall:
1.manage,superviseanddeveloptheadministrationandfinancesofthe
Parliament,andconsiderpertinentplansanddevelopmentproposals;
2.makeproposalsontheadministrationandfinancesoftheParliament;
3.decide,insofarasspecificallysoprovided,ontheappointmentstoa
positionoratemporarypositionintheParliamentaryOffice,aswellasonthe
dismissalofofficialsortheterminationoftheirposition;
4.decide,insofarasspecificallysoprovided,onleaveofabsenceforofficials
intheParliamentaryOfficeandontheirtemporaryreplacements;
5.afterhavingheardtheCommitteesinquestion,appointthesecretariesof
theCommittees;
6.decidetheothermatterspertainingtotheadministrationandfinancesof
theParliament,wherethesehavenotbeenassignedtotheSpeakeroran
officialintheParliamentaryOffice;
7.putforwardinitiativesfortheadoptionoftheParliament’sFinanceRules;
8.decideontheArchiveRulesoftheParliament;and
9.decideontheothermattersthatareassignedtoitbyanAct,theseRulesof
Procedure,otherinstructions,orotherrulesofprocedure.
28
Section 74 — The Parliamentary Office
TheParliamentaryOfficeshallcreateandmaintaintheconditionsinwhichthe
ParliamentcanperformitstasksasanorganoftheState.
TheParliamentaryOfficeshalloperateunderthesupervisionoftheOffice
Commission.
Section 75 — Secretary General of the Parliament
TheSecretaryGeneral,electedbytheParliament,shallactasthesecretaryof
theParliamentandastheheadoftheParliamentaryOffice.
IftheofficeofSecretaryGeneralisvacantortheSecretaryGeneralis
preventedfromattendingtohisorherduties,theDeputySecretaryGeneral
shallperformthedutiesofSecretaryGeneral.IfalsotheDeputySecretary
Generalisprevented,theSpeakershallinviteasuitablepersontoperformthe
dutiesofSecretaryGeneral.
Chapter 8 — Miscellaneous provisions
Section 76 — Languages used in parliamentary work
TheconsiderationofamatterintheParliamentshallbebasedonitsFinnish
text;theSwedishtextshallbedrawnupbytheParliamentaryOffice.
Acitizens'initiativesubmittedforParliament'sconsiderationshallbe
translatedintoFinnishorSwedishattheParliamentaryOffice.(1272/2011)
TheproposalsoftheOfficeCommissiontotheplenarysessionshallbe
translatedintoSwedish.
TheSpeaker’ssummaryofproposalsmade,aswellasthenotificationreferred
toinsection42(2)oftheConstitution,shallbemadebothinFinnishandin
Swedish.AlsotheothernotificationsoftheSpeakershallbemadeinSwedish,
ifheorshedeemsthisnecessary.Thecontentsofaspeechmadeinplenary
sessioninSwedishshallbesummarisedinFinnish.
ThecontentsofspeechesmadeinFinnish,theSpeaker’sproposalsforvoting
andthenotificationsmadebytheSpeakeronlyinFinnish,shallbeprivately
interpretedtoSwedish-speakingRepresentatives,iftheysowish.
TheCommitteesshalldecideontheinterpretationneededintheirmeetings.
However,thecourseofameetingshallbeprivatelyinterpretedtoamember
oftheCommittee,ifheorshesowishes.
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Section 76 a — Representative's personal interests (63/2015)
ARepresentativeshall,withintwomonthsfromwhenhisorhercredentials
havebeenexamined,provideParliamentwithanaccountofanyoutside
duties,commercialactivities,interestsasanownerinbusinessesandother
significantassetswhichmaybeofrelevanceinevaluatinghisorher
performanceasaRepresentative.Significantchangesinthepersonalinterests
duringtheelectoraltermshallbedeclaredwithintwomonthsfromwhenthe
changeoccurred.
ARepresentativeshallalsoprovideParliamentwithanaccountofsuch
incomereceivedfromoutsidedutiesandcommercialactivitieswhichmaybe
ofrelevanceinevaluatinghisorherperformanceasaRepresentative.Such
incomeshallbedeclaredeachcalendaryearbytheendofJuneoftheyear
followingtheyearwhentheincomewasaccrued.
TheaccountsofpersonalinterestsaresubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Ifa
Representative,despitearequesttodoso,failstosubmitanaccountofhisor
herpersonalinterests,theSpeakershallannouncethisattheplenarysession
oftheParliament.
Section 76 b —Register of personal interests (63/2015)
TheCentralOfficemaintainsaregisterofpersonalinterestsdeclaredbythe
Representatives.Theinformationispublicandmadeaccessibletothepublic
onapublicinformationnetwork.Onceapersonnolongerholdsofficeasa
Representative,theinformationisremovedfromtheregisterandthe
informationnetwork
Section 77 — Suspension of the office of Representative
ARepresentativewhohasbeenelectedasaMemberoftheEuropean
ParliamentshallnotifytheSpeakerwhetherheorshewillchoosetoserveasa
RepresentativeorwhetherheorshewillserveasaMemberoftheEuropean
Parliament.AfteranelectiontotheEuropeanParliament,thenotificationshall
bemadebeforetheEuropeanParliamentconvenesinitsfirstplenarysession.
Afterparliamentaryelections,thenotificationshallbemadeatthelatestat
noononthethirddayafterthescrutinyoftheRepresentative’scredentials.If
theRepresentativehaschosentoserveasaMemberoftheEuropean
Parliament,hisorherofficeofRepresentativeshallbesuspendedasfromthe
datewhenthecredentialsofthesubstituteRepresentativehavebeen
examined.
Section 78 — Notifications to constituency electoral boards
IfaRepresentativediesorceasestoexercisetheofficeofaRepresentative,the
SecretaryGeneralshallwithoutdelaynotifythesametotheelectoralboardof
theappropriateconstituency.
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IfaRepresentativeservesasaMemberoftheEuropeanParliament,the
SecretaryGeneralshallwithoutdelaynotifythesametotheelectoralboardof
theappropriateconstituency.
Section 79 — Calculation of time limits in parliamentary work
Ifastatutoryfixeddateorthedateofexpirationofastatutorydeadlinefalls
onaholiday,IndependenceDay,theFirstofMay,ChristmasEve,Midsummer
EveoraSaturday,thefollowingweekdayshallbedeemedtobethefixeddate
orthedateofexpiration.
Thetimelimitforameasuretobetakenduringaparliamentarysessionshall
notrunwhilethesessionisinterrupted.Theremainderofthetimelimitshall
begintorunonthedaywhentheParliamentreconvenesinsession.
Theprovisioninparagraph(2)doesnotapplytothetimelimitforthereplyto
awrittenquestion.
Section 80 — Notices of plenary sessions and Committee meetings (71/2011)
Anoticeofaplenarysessionandoftheagendathereofshallbemadeaswellin
advanceoftheplenarysessionaspossible.TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecide
themodeofnotice.
AnoticeofaCommitteemeetingshallbeannouncedingoodtimebeforethe
meeting
Chapter 9 — Entry into force
Section 81
TheseRulesofProcedureenterintoforceon1March2000.
TheseRulesofProcedurerepealtheParliamentaryRulesofProcedureof19
December1927,aslateramended.
***
Theamendment118/2003entersintoforceon1March2003.
Theamendment10/2006entersintoforceon1February2006.
Theamendment1190/2006entersintoforceon22March2007.
Theamendment219/2007entersintoforceon22March2007.
Theamendment609/2007entersintoforceon1June2007.
31
Theamendment1023/2009entersintoforceon15December2009.
Theamendment71/2011entersintoforceon1May2011.
Theamendment1272/2011entersintoforceon1March2012.
Theamendment895/2012entersintoforceon1January2013.
Theamendment1022/2013entersintoforceon1January2014.
Theamendment63/2015entersintoforceon22April2015.Theprovisionsin
76a(2)arenotappliedtoincomeaccruedbeforetheentryintoforceofthis
Decision.
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