Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Faroe Islands

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Faroe Islands.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 49 municipalities
Legal System: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: see Denmark
Executive Branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party
Legislative Branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%, Social Democratic Party 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party 20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party - Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8, People's Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, People's Party 1
Judicial Branch: none
Political Parties: Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Oeo JOHANNESEN]
Head of State: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark
Head of Government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN
Cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
Election Results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National Holiday: Olaifest, 29 July
International Organization Participation: IMO (associate), NC, NIB
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Torshavn
Location: 62 00 N, 6 46 W
Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: the meaning in Danish is "Thor's harbor"

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: no regular military forces

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) White represtents the foam of the sea and clear bright sky of the islands.
Flag History: Designed by 2 students in Cpenhagen.
Date of Adoption: 5 June 1959

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics: "Tú alfagra land mítt" Tú alfagra land mítt, mín dýrasta ogn! á vetri so randhvítt, á sumri við logn, tú tekur meg at tær so tætt í tín favn. Tit oyggjar so mætar, Gud signi tað navn, sum menn tykkum góvu, tá teir tykkum sóu. Ja, Gud signi Føroyar, mítt land! Hin roðin, sum skínur á sumri í líð, hin ódnin, sum týnir mangt lív vetrartíð, og myrkrið, sum fjalir mær bjartasta mál, og ljósið, sum spælir mær sigur í sál: alt streingir, ið tóna, sum vága og vóna, at eg verji Føroyar, mítt land. Eg nígi tí niður í bøn til tín, Gud: Hin heilagi friður mær falli í lut! Lat sál mína tváa sær í tíni dýrd! So torir hon vága - av Gudi væl skírd - at bera tað merkið, sum eyðkennir verkið, ið varðveitir Føroyar, mítt land!
Anthem Lyrics (English): "My land, oh most beauteous" My land, oh most beauteous, possession most dear, Thou drawest me to thee, embracing me near; becalmed in the summer, in winter snow covered, magnificant islands, by God named beloved. The name which men gave thee when they thee discovered, Oh, God bless thee, Faroes my land. Bright gleam, which in summer makes hill-tops so fair; rough gale, which in winter drives men to despair; oh life taking storm, oh conquest of soul, all making sweet music uniting the whole. Each hoping and trusting, inspiring us all, To guard thee, O Faroes my land. And therefore, I kneel down, to Thee God, in prayer, may peaceful my lot be, and do thou me spare, my soul cleansed; in glory; I ask Thee to bless, when I raise my banner and venture the stress. The sign of my task, be it lifted on high, To guard the, O Faroes my land.
Anthem History: "Tú alfagra land mítt" is the National anthem of the Faroe Islands. Lyrics are by Símun av Skarði and the melody by Peter Alberg

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