Færøerne’s conservative party wins election with 29-year-old leader poised to become youngest prime minister

The conservative Fólkaflokkurin (People’s Party) has emerged as the largest party in the Faroe Islands’ parliamentary election, securing nine of 33 seats and positioning its 29-year-old leader, Beinir Johannesen, to potentially become the archipelago’s youngest prime minister, reports Danish broadcaster DR.

The result marks a gain of three seats compared to the 2022 election, when the party won six mandates. Johannesen, who took over as party leader in 2022 amid internal turmoil, has led Fólkaflokkurin through a period of opposition after its previous coalition government collapsed.

Fólkaflokkurin campaigned on addressing the Faroe Islands’ housing crisis, where high prices have priced out young buyers, and on strengthening the local business sector. The party also advocates for greater Faroese autonomy, particularly in foreign policy and fisheries management, where its interests occasionally conflict with those of the broader Danish Realm.

The election follows the dissolution of the previous government—a coalition of the social democratic Javnaðarflokkurin, the left-wing Tjóðveldi, and the liberal Framsókn—after internal disputes eroded trust. Javnaðarflokkurin, which led the outgoing administration, lost three seats, dropping from nine to six.

With no party securing an outright majority, coalition negotiations will determine the next government. The seat distribution, as reported by Faroese public broadcaster KVF, is as follows:

– Fólkaflokkurin: 9 seats (26.7%) – Sambandsflokkurin (Union Party): 7 seats (21.5%) – Javnaðarflokkurin (Social Democratic Party): 6 seats (18.9%) – Tjóðveldi (Republic): 6 seats (17.4%) – Miðflokkurin (Centre Party): 2 seats (6.6%) – Sjálvstýri (Self-Governance): 2 seats (5.3%) – Framsókn (Progress): 1 seat (3.6%)

A total of 160 candidates from seven parties contested the election.