President Halonen takes part in the centennial celebrations of the Parliament of Finland

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen participated in the centenary celebrations of the Parliament of Finland on 1 June 2006. A jubilee medallion, designed by the sculptor Hannu Siren, was displayed at the Eduskunta in the morning. The first silver medallions were presented to President of the Republic Halonen as well as to former presidents Mauno Koivisto and Martti Ahtisaari.

Former Presidents Martti Ahtisaari and Mauno Koivisto and President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen. Photo: Lehtikuva

After a celebratory service, a ceremonial session of the Parliament of Finland was arranged to mark a decision made by the Diet of the Estates one hundred years ago to establish a unicameral legislature and to grant universal and equal suffrage. For the first time in Europe, women were granted full political rights.

In the afternoon, President Halonen held a reception at the Presidential Palace to almost a hundred parliamentary speakers who had come from around the world to the celebrations of the Parliament of Finland. In a greeting addressed to the speakers, President Halonen pointed out that the overhaul of the Finnish political system a century ago was exceptionally radical, even in international comparison.

“Finnish women were granted the right to vote and to stand as candidates in national elections. The majority of Finnish men were likewise given full political rights. Before, political power had been in hands of few men belonging to the Estates.”

President Halonen said it should be borne in mind, even on this festive day, that a democratic system is in constant need of maintenance and development. “Democracy can only be realised if citizens take an interest in it and are prepared to participate in the making of decisions on matters which affect all.”

The centennial celebrations of the Parliament of Finland continued in the evening with a jubilee concert and gala dinner at the National Opera.

Full text of the speech

Parliament of Finland 100 years