General Elections.
General Elections are around the corner, political parties and independent candidates still have two weeks to consolidate a political campaign and run in elections, but how exactly does the electoral process work?
Basic principles of the form of Government.
To understand the political process in Åland, it's important to recall the composition and formation of our Government. Åland is a Parliamentary Crowned Republic, therefore, the Head of State becomes the Monarch who occupies the throne, the Prime Minister becomes the Head of the Government, and the Parliament becomes the centre of said Government.
The Lagting, home of the Parliament, is the foremost representative of the people. That means that most political power lies upon the Lagting. It consists of a single chamber, the Speaker, the Secretary and fifteen seats. In short, the Lagting is the centre of decision-making, therefore, neither the Prime Minister nor the Head of State can act without their confidence.
The Prime Minister, with the help of the Council of State, leads the Government and all public institutions.
The Head of State upholds the Constitution, represents Åland in the international community and serves as a moral guide for the nation, but carries no hierarchical authority over citizens.
The Electoral Process.
Citizens do not normally participate directly in decision-making, but do so indirectly through their representatives in the Parliament. The Parliament is appointed by means of free and direct elections, voting in such elections is by party, with an option to express a personal preference vote. Seats are distributed on the relation between the total number of votes each party received, and the percentage this represents in the total amount of registered votes.
After each electoral period, the Parliament appoints by means of a vote a Prime Minister. The Parliament may decide whether to re-elect a candidate, or elect a new one, either a non-partisan or partisan candidate. Thereafter, the Prime Minister appoints the members of the Council of State, which is comprised by seven ministries.
Q & A
-Who can vote?
All citizens are entitled to vote.
-who can stand for general elections?
All citizens are entitled to stand for general elections, either by joining a political party, or registering one in the Electoral Commission.
-How can I run for Prime Minister?
All citizens are entitled to run for Prime Minister, all candidates can be ether a partisan or non-partisan. The Lagting will take into consideration all candidates based on popularity and the quality to take such position.
Further information on the Instrument of Government and the Electoral Process can be found on Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 of the Constitution. |