Finnish People's Delegation
The Finnish People's Delegation (Finnish: Suomen kansanvaltuuskunta) was created by leftists, mostly members of the Social Democratic Party. Its formation as the government of Finland was announced in Helsinki's radical opposition newspaper Työmies on January 29, 1918, marking a rebellion against the Finnish Senate. The People's Delegation served as the government of the Red Guard in the Finnish Civil War.
A Supreme Workers' Council was established on February 14, 1918, to be equivalent to Parliament in wielding executive power. The chairman of the Council was equivalent to the Speaker of the Parliament, and served as the Head of State of Red Finland. The position was filled by the secretary of the Transport Workers Union Valfrid Perttilä.
The Workers' Council had little power because of the chaotic situation during the Civil War. Most decisions were taken by the People's Delegation. The Council ceased operations on April 25, 1918.
Finnish People's Delegation members
- chairman ("prime minister") Kullervo Manner
- delegate for foreign affairs ("foreign minister") Yrjö Sirola
- delegate for internal affairs ("internal minister") Eero Haapalainen and Adolf Taimi
- delegate for justice ("minister of justice") Lauri Letonmäki and Antti Kiviranta
- delegate for education ("minister of education") Otto Wille Kuusinen
- delegate for monetary affairs ("minister of finance") Jalo Kohonen
- delegate for labour ("minister of labour") Johan Erik Lumivuokko
- delegate for agriculture ("ministry of agriculture and forestry") Evert Eloranta
- delegate for provisions ("minister of supply") Oskari Tokoi
- delegate for transport ("minister of transport") Konstantin Lindqvist
- delegate for posts and information ("minister of communications") Emil Elo
- Procurator ("chancellor of justice") Matti Turkia.
Seats on the Supreme Workers' Council were allocated by the People's Delegation as follows:
- Finnish Trade Union Federation, 10
- Social Democratic Party of Finland, 15
- Red Guard, 10
- Helsinki Labour Unions, 5
Constitutional proposal
The People's Delegation drew up a new Constitution, taking influences from the American and Swiss Constitution and ideas from the French Revolution. A referendum on the proposal was planned.
End of People's Delegation
After the Civil War the members of the People's Delegation fled to Soviet Russia and abroad. The proposed Constitution was forgotten.