Diet of Finland

During the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia, the four Estates of occupied Finland (Nobility, Clergy, Bourgeoisie and Peasants) were assembled at Porvoo (Borgå) by Tsar Alexander I, the new Grand Duke of Finland, between 25 March and 19 July 1809.

Each of the Estates swore an oath of allegiance, committing themselves to accepting the Emperor as Grand Duke of Finland, and to keeping the constitution and the form of government unchanged.

The Diet required that it be convened again after the Finnish War, which separated Finland from Sweden, was concluded.

The opening ceremony was held on 18 September and the Emperor made his declaration promising to introduce changes to the constitution, including having the Diet meet regularly.

In the elections for the Diet of 1872, members of the two language-based parties, the Fennomans and the Svecomans, gained more ground at the expense of the liberals.

After the assassination of Alexander II the special position of Finland in the Russian empire was put in danger.

Alexander III announced that the Finnish monetary, customs and postal systems were to be incorporated into their imperial counterparts.

The powers of the diet regarding Finland's internal affairs were weakened and transferred to the Russian ministers.

At the same time universal suffrage was introduced, which gave all men and women, 24 years or older, the right to vote and stand for election.

The throne used by Emperor Alexander I at the Porvoo Diet in 1809. The throne has been part of the collection of the National Museum of Finland from 1919 onwards
The Porvoo Diet is opened by Alexander I
A memorial for the meeting of the states of Finland in Helsinki in 1616
The sovereign's pledge, printed in Finnish
The opening of the Diet in 1863
First page of the order by Alexander II of Russia for the Diet of 1869 in Finnish
The House of the Estates in Snellmaninkatu in Helsinki was the meeting place of the lower estates