The Parliament passes legislation, decides on the state budget, approves international treaties, and supervises the activities of the government.

To make changes to the constitution, amendments must be approved by two successive parliaments, with an election cycle in between, or passed as an emergency law with a 167/200 majority.

Since the establishment of the Parliament in 1905, the parliamentary majority has been held once by a single party: the Social Democrats in the 1916 election.

These are generally formed by at least two of the three historically major parties: the Social Democrats, Centre, and National Coalition.

After the 2023 election the Orpo Cabinet was formed by the National Coalition, Finns and Swedish People's parties as well as the Christian Democrats.

Riksdag derives from the genitive of rike ('realm') referring to the independent state of Finland, and dag, meaning diet or conference.

[6] Before independence, until the Constitution Act of 1919, the Parliament was known, in Swedish, as lantdagen (cognate of landtag, having the sense of "subnational assembly") which was the old term for the Diet of Finland.

[8] Women could both vote and run for office as equals, and this applied also to landless people, with no excluded minorities.

In the parliamentary election of 1919, the republican parties won three-quarters of the seats, extinguishing the monarchists' ambitions.

At the same time, the ability of qualified minorities to block legislation was gradually removed and the powers of the Parliament were greatly increased in the constitutional reform of 1991.

The revised 2000 draft of the Finnish constitution removed almost all domestic powers of the President, strengthening the position of the cabinet and the Parliament.

With certain exceptions, such as military personnel on active duty, high judicial officials, the President of the Republic, and persons under guardianship, any voter may also stand as a candidate for the Parliament.

All registered parties are entitled to nominate candidates; individual citizens and independent electoral organizations must be endorsed by a sufficient number of voters through the form of supporter cards [fi] to apply.

As per the version of the constitution currently in use, the president can do this only upon proposal by the Prime Minister and after consultations with the parliamentary groups while the Parliament is in session.

Many of them have been grand coalitions between parties with varying ideological backgrounds, as the socialist and non-socialist blocs usually do not win enough seats between them to govern on their own.

[15] A group generally tries to reach a unanimous decision on a common position, but failing to do so may take a vote.

[17][18] The President of Finland consults the Speaker of Parliament and representatives of parliamentary groups about the formation of a new Finnish Government.

On the basis of the outcome of these negotiations, and after having consulted the Speaker of the house and the parliamentary groups, the President informs the Parliament of the nominee for Prime Minister.

The annual session of parliament generally begins in February and consists of two terms, the first from January to June, the second from September to December.

Usually the committees hear experts from special interest groups and various authorities after which they formulate the necessary changes to the bill in question.

If the parliament wishes to do so, it may during the general discussion of the first handling submit the bill to the Grand Committee for further formulation.

If the bill entails a change in constitution, the second session takes place only after the next election unless the parliament decides to declare the matter to be urgent by a majority of five-sixths.

The Finnish government is obligated by law to follow the parliamentary opinion when discussing the matter with the European Commission and other member states.

At this stage, the Finnish state is committed to passing a bill fulfilling the requirements demanded by the EU, and the Parliament must vote accordingly.

After the final report of the committee, the parliament decides whether to charge the minister in the High Court of Impeachment.

Similar proceedings may also be initiated against the Chancellor of Justice, Parliamentary Ombudsman or the judges of the supreme courts.

[1] MPs may travel for free within the country by train, bus, or plane for purposes related to legislative work.

Johan Sigfrid Sirén (1889–1961), who was mainly responsible for preparing the proposal, was tasked with designing the Parliament House.

The third floor includes facilities for the Information Unit and the media and provides direct access to the press gallery overlooking the Session Hall.

[27] The building underwent extensive renovations in the years 2007–2017 as part of the preparation for Finland's centennial independence celebration.