| Government | Faroe Islands |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar |
Dependency status:
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part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 |
Government type:
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NA |
Capital:
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name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October |
Administrative divisions:
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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 34 municipalities |
Dependent areas:
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void |
Independence:
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none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
National holiday:
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Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July |
Constitution:
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5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) |
Legal system:
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the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply |
International law organization participation:
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void |
Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
elections: the monarchy 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 on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister |
Legislative branch:
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unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held no later than October 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 24.7%, People's Party 22.5%, Republican Party 18.3%, Social Democratic Party 17.7%, Progressive Party 6.3%, Center Party 6.2%, Independence Party 4.2%, other 0.1%; seats by party - Union Party 8, People's Party 8, Republican Party 6, Social Democratic Party 6, Progressive Party 2, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 |
Judicial branch:
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The Faroese Court or Raett (Rett (Danish)) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system |
Political parties and leaders:
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Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party (Tjodveldisflokkurin) [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] |
Political pressure groups and leaders:
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conservationists |
International organization participation:
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Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU |
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
Flag description:
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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); referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors |
National symbol(s):
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ram |
Government - note:
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void |
National anthem:
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name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as an autonomous overseas division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem |
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