Government of Faroe Islands
Long Conventional Name
None
Short Conventional Name
Faroe Islands
Long Local Name
None
Short Local Name
Foroyar
Government Type
Not applicable
Capital City
Nullarbor Plain National Park
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 34 municipalities.
Independence Day
Monday, 8th January 2007
Constitutional History
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution).
Legal System
The laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply.
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal.
Executive Branch
Chief of State
Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004)
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 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008).
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms).
Judical Branch
None
Flag Description
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).
