Faroe Islands - Politics

Politics

The Faroese government holds executive power in local government affairs. The head of the government is called the Løgmaður (literally 'law person') or prime minister in English. Any other member of the cabinet is called a landsstýrismaður ('national committee man') or landsstýriskvinna, if the person is a woman. The Logting dates back to Viking times and is believed to be one of the oldest parliaments in the world. Today, elections are held in the municipalities, on a national level for the Løgting ('law assembly'), and for the Danish Folketing. Until 2007, there were seven electoral districts when elections were held, each one comprising a sýsla, while Streymoy is divided into a northern and southern part (Tórshavn region). However, on the 25th of October 2007, changes were made such that the entire country is one electoral district, giving each vote equal weight.