The Government of Faroe Islands

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.

note: the blue on the flag is a lighter blue (azure) than that found on the flags of Iceland or Norway

The National Anthem

Title	"Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
Lyric/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 a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

More about the government of Faroe Islands

Constitution
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
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
Legislature name	Faroese Parliament (Logting)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	33 (directly elected)
Electoral system	Proportional representation
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	12/8/2022
Parties elected and seats per party	JF (9); B (7); A (6); E (6); F (3); H (2)
Percentage of women in chamber	27.3%
Expected date of next election	2026
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)