Danish politician calls for rethinking Nordic unity as Faroe Islands weigh independence

A proposal by Danish politician Martin Lidegaard to “rethink the unity of the realm” has reignited debate in the Faroe Islands, where five of six political parties now support negotiations with Copenhagen on establishing an independent Faroese state, DR reports.

The Faroese government has gradually assumed control over most domestic affairs—excluding foreign policy, law enforcement, and the judiciary—yet the push for full independence has gained new momentum following global shifts, including former US President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s not really about Denmark”
Heini í Skorini, a lecturer in international politics at the University of the Faroe Islands, told DR that the independence debate is less about breaking ties with Denmark and more about the Faroe Islands’ role in global affairs.

“Several Faroese parties want recognition as an independent state in the international community, with expanded foreign policy powers,” he said. “Our fishing exports depend on market access and free trade agreements, but negotiations are difficult when you’re not a sovereign nation.”

The process has slowed due to political uncertainty, with two upcoming elections and lingering effects from the 2019 Trump-Greenland controversy, which also raised concerns in the Faroe Islands.

Public sentiment remains cautious
While political parties push for independence, local journalist Uni Leitisstein of Faroese public broadcaster KVF noted that everyday Faroese are more pragmatic.

“Discussion had nearly vanished until Ukraine and Trump revived it,” he said. “But most Faroese still value ties to Denmark—whether for economic stability or the option to relocate.”

The Faroe Islands’ annual subsidy from Denmark has dropped by roughly 350 million DKK over a decade, yet public support for severing ties remains limited.

A long-standing question
The debate traces back to 1946, when a narrow majority voted for independence in a referendum—only for Denmark to reject the result and grant home rule in 1948. The issue resurfaced after the 1990s economic crisis, with formal independence talks beginning in 2000.

Today, the word Loysing (“separation”) is painted on cliffs near Tórshavn’s harbor, a reminder of a question that has shaped Faroese politics for generations.