Only formally, the president ranks first in the protocol, before the speaker of the parliament and the prime minister of Finland.

The president still leads the nation's foreign politics in conjunction with the Government, and is the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces.

[note 1] Presidential candidates can be nominated by registered parties which have received at least one seat in the previous parliamentary elections.

Otherwise, the first round of balloting takes place on the fourth Sunday[4] of January in the election year.

The president assumes office on the first day of the month following the election (either 1 February or 1 March depending on whether there were one or two rounds).

In 1940 and 1943, the 1937 electoral college chose the president, as it was felt that a popular election could not be arranged due to the martial law (1940) and the Continuation War (1943).

In 1944 special legislation directly stipulated that Marshal Mannerheim be elected president for six years after Risto Ryti had resigned mid-term.

In 1946, special legislation empowered the Parliament to choose a successor for the remainder of Mannerheim's term (until 1950), the latter having resigned.

In 1973, special legislation extended President Urho Kekkonen's term by four years until 1978, when he was re-elected regularly.

The affirmation is specified in Section 56 of the Constitution, and in English reads "I, [N. N.], elected by the people of Finland as the President of the Republic, hereby affirm that in my presidential duties I shall sincerely and conscientiously observe the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, and to the best of my ability promote the wellbeing of the people of Finland.

After the inauguration, the new president, accompanied by their predecessor, inspects the guard of honour outside Parliament House.

The president exercises governmental powers "in council" with the Finnish Government, echoing the royal curia regis.

Under the Constitution of Finland, executive power is vested in the president and the Government, which must enjoy the confidence of parliament.

This principle is reflected in other provisions of the constitution concerning the president's functions and powers dealing with legislation, decrees, and appointment of public officials.

Custom dictates that the president renounces any party affiliation while serving, to remain above day-to-day politics.

The president was originally vested with fairly broad executive power, particularly in the realm of foreign policy.

[8] Nevertheless, presidents are still seen as providing a measure of stability, given that it is all but impossible for one party to win an outright majority in Parliament.

The provisions of treaties and other international obligations that affect domestic legislation are implemented by acts of parliament.

Should the president refuse assent or fail to decide on the matter in time, Parliament reconsiders the bill and can readopt it with a majority of votes cast.

[citation needed] In single cases, the president has the power of pardon from any imprisonment, fine, or forfeiture.

The last time this has occurred was in the Second World War (to Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim).

Under the Preparedness Act, in exceptional circumstances the president may issue a decree authorising the government to exercise emergency powers for up to one year at a time.

The president has the use of three properties for residential and hospitality purposes: the Presidential Palace and Mäntyniemi, both in Helsinki, and Kultaranta in Naantali on the west coast near Turku.

The parliament can override these rules by means of an emergency constitutional amendment passed by a majority of at least 5/6, and has done so on multiple occasions.

[citation needed] There is, however, no mechanism laid out in the Constitution or other laws for removing a president from office.

It originated as a celebration of Finland's national independence and pride, and although nowadays it is seen by some as a glorified social party, the reception is broadcast every year on Finnish television and has very high viewer ratings.

Guests included the Government, diplomats, Members of Parliament, high-ranking officers, senior civil servants, artists and other prominent people.

In 1972 it was held at Finlandia Hall in connection with the Independence Day concert, with the Prime Minister as host, because the Presidential Palace was being renovated.

In 1974 it was cancelled on account of the death of President Kekkonen's wife only a few days prior to the reception.

Care-taker of State) and, for a time, an elected king, although the latter renounced the throne: Both Svinhufvud and Mannerheim later served as president of Finland.