Finland is a Northern European nation, divided into 19 regions and 70 sub-regions, bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia. It is a Unitary Parliamentary Republic where the Prime minister heads the government, and the president heads the state. The central government is seated in Helsinki, the country’s capital city and the local governments are based in its 311 municipalities.
Finland joined the European Union in early 1995, along with Austria and Sweden. The country was known for the strict policy of neutrality it had maintained until the early 1990s. Therefore, its EU membership was perceived as a sudden change of political inclination. But that was not the case. The decision to follow Sweden and apply for EU membership was based on an overwhelming political consensus.
Finland has remarkably adapted itself to the EU’s policies and has become a strong endorser of the EU’s unity and policies. Since the first years of its membership, the country has propelled many vital decisions taken by the EU.
Picture Credit : Google
