Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands or simply Faroes (Faroese: Føroyar, meaning "Sheep Islands", Danish: Færøerne) are a group of islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Norway and Iceland. They have been an autonomous region of the kingdom of Denmark since 1948 and have, over the years, taken control of most matters, except defense and foreign affairs.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Faroe Islands

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The islands are administratively divided in 34 municipalities with about 120 cities and villages.

Related Topics:
34 municipalities - 120 cities and villages

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Traditionally, there are also the 6 sýslur (Norðoyar, Eysturoy, Streymoy, Vágar, Sandoy and Suðuroy). Sýsla means district and although it is only a police district today, it is still commonly understood as a geographical region. In earlier times, each sýsla had an own ting, the so called várting (spring ting).

Related Topics:
6 sýslur - Norðoyar - Eysturoy - Streymoy - Vágar - Sandoy - Suðuroy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, elections are held in the municipalities, on national level for the Løgting, and inside the Kingdom of Denmark for the Folketing. For the Løgting elections there are 7 electoral districts, each one comprehending asýslur, while Streymoy is divided in a northern and southern part (Tórshavn region).

Related Topics:
Løgting - Folketing

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Government of the Faroes holds the executive power in locally government affairs. The Head of the government is called the Løgmaður or Prime Minister in English. Any other members of the cabinet are called a landsstýrismaður.

Related Topics:
Løgmaður - Landsstýrismaður

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Faroes and Denmark

On September 14 in 1946 a referendum was held in the Faroes about complete independence or continued presence within the Danish state. There was a majority in favour of complete independence but the Danish government overruled the result, claiming the margin was too small.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A high degree of self-government was instead attained in 1948 and the Faroese are supported by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark. The islanders are about evenly split between those favouring complete independence and those who prefer a continued presence within the Danish state. Within both camps there is, however, a wide range of opinions. Of those who favour independence some are in favour of an immediate unilateral declaration. Others see it as something to be attained gradually and in full consent with the Danish government and the Danish nation. In the unionist camp there are also many who foresee and welcome a gradual increase in autonomy even as strong ties to Denmark are maintained.

Related Topics:
1948 - Denmark

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Faroes and the EU

The Faroe Islands are not part of the EU, as explicitly asserted by both Rome treaties. Moreover, a protocol to the treaty of accession of Denmark to the European Communities stipulates that Danish nationals residing in the Faroe Islands are not to be considered as Danish nationals within the meaning of the treaties. Hence, Danish people living in the Faroes are not citizens of the European Union. Faroe is however covered by the Schengen free movement agreement.

Related Topics:
EU - Rome treaties - Protocol - Schengen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~