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: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Lene MOYELL JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2015) head of government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022) 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 8 December 2022 (next to be held no later than 2026) election results: Aksel V. JOHANNESEN elected prime minister following the December 2022 legislative elections; percent of parliamentary vote - NA note: current coalition government is led by the Social Democrats alongside coalition partners
Legislative Branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Løgting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held no later than December 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 26.6%, Union Party 20.3%, People's Party 18.9%, Republican Party 15.0%, Progress Party 7.0%, Center Party 6.3%, Self-Government Party 5.9%; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 9, Union Party 7, People's Party 6, Republican Party 5, Progress Party 2, Center Party 2, Self-Government Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 1 November 2022 (next to be held no later than 2026); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Union 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: King FREDERIK X of Denmark, represented by High Commissioner Lene MOYELL JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer
Head of Government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN
Cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Elections: last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held no later than December 2026)
Election Results: Faroe Islands Parliament (Løgting) - percent of vote by party in the most recent election (December 2023): Union Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party 17.2%, People's Party 16.9%, Republican Party 13.0%, Progress Party 10.6%, Center Party 10.4%, Self-Government Party 7.5%, Workers' Front 5.5%; seats by party - Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 6, Republican Party 5, Progress Party 4, Center Party 4, Self-Government Party 2, Workers' Front 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 1 November 2022 (next to be held no later than 2026); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Union Party 1
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.

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.

Unlock everything — 2-Day Pass · $2

Every country, every topic, all activities & recipes

✓ Instant access on this device · ✓ No subscription

Prefer longer? A full year is $15·Already a member? Sign in

Back to Faroe Islands