The duties of the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland are laid down in the Act on the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland (100/2012). According to the Act, the Office assists the President in carrying out presidential duties, manages the President’s administrative affairs, maintains and manages the President’s archives and provides the personal services required by the President and the President’s family. The Office is also responsible for ensuring the personal security of the President and the security of the premises at the disposal of the President. In addition, the Office provides services to former Presidents.
Presidential Cabinet
The Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Finland includes the Secretary General, the President’s advisors and the Director of Communications. The Cabinet prepares and presents to the President all matters requiring the President’s opinion or decision, and ensures that they are followed up.
The Cabinet is chaired by the Secretary General.
Cabinet meeting
At the Cabinet meeting, the President of the Republic, the members of the Cabinet and the Aides-de-Camp discuss issues related to the preparation and implementation of the President’s programme.
Aides-de-Camp of the President of the Republic
The Defence Forces appoint three officers as Aides-de-Camp to the President, assigned to the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. The First Aide-de-Camp is the head of the Aides-de-Camp Unit. Together with the Cabinet, the unit plans the programme for the President and the President’s spouse in accordance with their instructions, and prepares and implements the programme. The Second Aide-de-Camp, in addition to other duties, assists the President’s spouse and the Third Aide-de-Camp provides assistance to former Presidents. The term of office of the Aides-de-Camp is not linked to the term of office of the President.
Aides-de-Camp have served the Head of State since the beginning of Finland’s independence. The practice originated when General C-G. E. Mannerheim served as Regent of Finland (temporary head of state) in 1918–1919. Among others, the artist, Lieutenant Akseli Gallen-Kallela served for at time as Aide-de-Camp to Mannerheim.