The speaker of the Parliament of Finland (Finnish Eduskunnan puhemies, Swedish Riksdagens talman), along with two deputy speakers, is elected by Parliament during the first plenary session each year. Speakers are chosen for a year at a time. In addition to their preparing the work in plenary sessions the speakers also play a key role in Parliament's international co-operation, which includes visits by speakers and international delegations as well as participation in numerous interparliamentary organisations. Formally, the speaker ranks second in the protocol, after the president of Finland.