According to the participatory democracy view, good democracy requires rights as extensive as possible.

Key participatory rights in Finland include:

• the right to vote in elections;
• the right to stand for office in elections; 
• the right to vote in referenda.

Every Finnish citizen who has reached eighteen years of age has the right to vote and stand for office in elections. The right to vote is equal, and all those with the right to vote who are not legally incompetent have the right to stand for office.

Citizens also have the right to vote in consultative referenda. The decision to organise a national referendum is made by Parliament. Finnish legislation does not restrict topics of referenda.

Related articles in Kansanvalta.fi:
Voting in elections
Referendums
Elective offices

Related links:
Elections [Ministry of Justice, Finland]

Updated on September 28, 2006