The Finnish Eduskunta and the European Union: The Strengths and Weaknesses of a Mandating System

Abstract

Finland’s integration policy can be characterized as flexible and constructive. It has sought to consolidate Finland’s position in the inner core of the European Union (EU). The government has constantly underlined the importance of being present where decisions that concern Finland are taken. According to the political elite, national interests can be best pursued through active and constructive participation in EU decision-making. Underlying this stance is a conviction that a strong and efficient EU can best protect the rights and interests of smaller member states, as intergovernmental processes tend to favour the larger member states (Raunio and Tiilikainen, 2003; Tiilikainen, 2006).