Finland's government submitted a bill for a new Emergency Powers Act to parliament on 5 November. The law is intended to better respond to the security environment and society's needs under exceptional circumstances. This is according to a press release from the Ministry of Justice.
"This is a significant legislative project for society's resilience and overall security," says Minister of Justice Leena Meri.
According to the Ministry, the law is intended to provide appropriate and sufficient powers while meeting the requirements of the Constitution. Particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the powers actually function in a crisis. Experience from the current law during the coronavirus pandemic has been taken into account.
Under the proposal, authorities' obligation to prepare for disruptions is regulated in greater detail. The definition of exceptional circumstances and the procedure for invoking the powers are clarified. New provisions are introduced on when exceptional circumstances end and on the government's role in leading crisis management. The Finnish Government would decide that exceptional circumstances prevail if it, in cooperation with the President of the Republic, assesses that the conditions have been met.
The powers concern, among other things, the regulation of essential goods, restrictions on freedom of movement and residence, and obligations for companies. New powers are being added, including for regulating household water supply and ensuring continuity in energy and food production. The rules on compensation and penalties are being clarified, and provisions on reconsideration and conditional fines are being added.
The proposal was drawn up by a working group with representatives from all ministries, the Office of the President of the Republic, and legal experts. A parliamentary monitoring group with representatives from all parliamentary parties, chaired by Jani Mäkelä (Finns Party), has supported the work. Almost all consultation bodies supported the reform when the draft was out for consultation between 15 December 2025 and 27 February 2026.
The laws are proposed to enter into force six months after they are adopted and confirmed.