The Council of State (Finnish: Valtioneuvosto, Swedish: Statsrådet) is Finland's cabinet; it directs the Government of Finland. However, in governmental translations to English, the distinction is often blurred between cabinet and government in the wider sense that includes the Parliament of Finland, on which the cabinet is dependent, the governmental agencies directed by the Cabinet, and the independent judicial branch of government; although this distinction is significant.

In 1918, after Finland's independence, the Cabinet, that in the Grand Duchy of Finland had been called the Senate of Finland, was reorganized and renamed to the Council of State. One of the main objectives of that reform was to separate the judiciary from the executive branch.

According to the recent revision of the Constitution of Finland (as of 2000), the power over foreign affairs is retained by the president, like for instance also in France, however with a narrow definition of foreign affairs that excludes influence over preparations of decissions within the European Union. International treaties and declaration of war are within the authority of the parliament.

With the constitution of 2000, Finland adheres de jure to the principles of Parliamentarism, although de facto all presidents since Kyösti Kallio (1936–1940) have chosen to appoint cabinets supported or tolerated by parliamentary majorities.

Matters within the authority of the Cabinet are decided at plenary meetings, with a quorum of five ministers present, in the case of of matters of wide importance and matters that are significant for reasons of principle. Less important matters are decided within the respective ministries.

Matters within the authority of the President are decided at plenary meetings of the Cabinet, with the exception of appointments, pardon, and calling of extraordinary elections.

Current Council of State

From June 24, 2003:

Prime Minister's Office

• Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of Finland

Office of the Chancellor of Justice

• Paavo Nikula (ex officio member of the Cabinet)

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

• Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Paula Lehtomäki Minister for Foreign Trade and Development

Ministry of Justice

• Johannes Koskinen , Minister of Justice

Ministry of the Interior

• Kari Rajamäki , Minister of the Interior
• Hannes Manninen , Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs

Ministry of Defence

• Seppo Kääriäinen , Minister of Defence
• http://www.defmin.fi/ — Finland's Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Finance

• Antti Kalliomäki , Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister of Finland
• Ulla-Maj Wideroos , Coordinate Minister of Finance

Ministry of Education

• Tuula Haatainen , Minister of Education
• Tanja Karpela, Minister of Culture

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

• Juha Korkeaoja , Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Ministry of Transport and Communications

• Leena Luhtanen , Minister of Transport and Communications

Ministry of Trade and Industry

• Mauri Pekkarinen , Minister of Trade and Industry

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

• Sinikka Mönkäre , Minister of Social Affairs and Health
• Liisa Hyssälä , Minister of Health and Social Services

Ministry of Labour

• Tarja Filatov , Minister of Labour

Ministry of the Environment

• Jan-Erik Enestam, Minister of the Environment

See also

• Council of State

External links

• Council of State - Official site