Faroe Islands - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Faroe Islands, it was the archipelago's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark type and the different Administrative divisions includes: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi
National symbols

Ram; national colors: red, white, blue.

The flag
The National flag of Faroe Islands has 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.
The National Anthem
Title "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
Lyric/music Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
More about the government of Faroe Islands
Date of Independence none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday Olaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)
Legal system the laws of Denmark apply where applicable
International law organization participation
Constitution
History 5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands' constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm
Amendments See entry for Denmark
Citizenship
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 15 May 2017) (2024)
Head of government Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022)
Cabinet Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Elections/appointments the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Legislative branch
Description Unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
Elections Faroese Parliament - last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 31 October 2022 (next to be held no later than 31 October 2026)
Election results Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - JF 26.6%, B 20%, A 18.9%, E 17.7%, F 7.5%, H 6.6%, seats by party - JF 9, B 7, A 6, E 6, F 3, H 2; composition - men 24, women 9; percentage women 27.3%

Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, B 1; composition - men 2, women 0; percentage women 0%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system
Subordinate courts Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy None (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Key Political parties and their leaders in Faroe Islands
  • International organization participation
  • Arctic Council
  • IMO (associate)
  • NC
  • NIB
  • UNESCO (associate)
  • UPU
  • All Important Facts about Faroe Islands

    Want to know more about Faroe Islands? Check all different factbooks for Faroe Islands below.

    Faroe Islands is found in Northern Europe