The Finnish Constitution safeguards the central features of local self-government:
Residents elect the supreme decision-making body, the municipal council.
The council has the general decision-making authority in local affairs. In addition, local authorities have certain specified responsibilities.
Local authorities have the power to make financial decisions, based on the right to levy taxes.
Local government is separate from central government, and the municipal bodies are partly independent of the state.
- Municipal administration is based on the Local Government Act, which governs how municipalities may organise their administration. The Local Government Act recognises the diversity of municipalities. It secures the residents’ welfare in a democratic manner.
According to the Local Government Act, local authorities may assume non-statutory responsibilities. New responsibilities or duties cannot be assigned to local authorities, nor can they be deprived of existing responsibilities or rights, except by passing legislation to this effect.