Faroese People’s Party accused of abandoning gender equality pledge

The Faroese People’s Party (Fólkaflokkurin) has been criticised for excluding its only female candidate, Elsebeth Mercedis Gunnleygsdóttir, from its government delegation, despite a coalition agreement promising gender balance, Faroese broadcaster KVF reports.

Political commentator Hallur av Rana called the decision “unfortunate,” noting the party had pledged in its coalition agreement to work for equal representation in all areas of society. “It is surprising that the party would sign an agreement committing to gender equality, only to exclude a woman from its delegation hours later,” he said.

The party’s three representatives in the new government—Beinir Johannesen, Bárður á Lakjuni, and Jacob Vestergaard—are all from Klaksvík, a choice also questioned by Jóhann Lútzen, editor of Norðlýsið. Lútzen suggested the party may have prioritised political experience and regional balance over gender representation.

Hallur av Rana challenged Lútzen’s claim that two representatives from Klaksvík were sufficient, asking whether the editor truly believed the town’s representation was adequate.

The debate unfolded on Breddin, a current affairs programme broadcast on KVF Radio and available for streaming on [KVF.fo](https://KVF.fo).