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People's Party (Faroe Islands)
Encyclopedia
The Faroese People's Party – Radical Self-Government is a liberal conservative political party in the Faroe Islands
, led by Jørgen Niclasen
. One of the four major parties, it's had eight seats in the Løgting
since the 2011 election
, making it the joint-largest party, but neither of the Faroes' seats in the Folketing
.
Founded in 1939 as a split from the Self-Government Party, the party has traditionally supported greater autonomy for the Faroe Islands. Party leader Hákun Djurhuus
served as Prime Minister
from 1963 to 1967, as did Jógvan Sundstein
from 1989 to 1991. In 1998, it adopted a policy of full independence
from Denmark
as part of a coalition deal in which leader Anfinn Kallsberg
became PM. Since 2004, except for a short period in 2008, the party has been in coalition
with the Union Party and Social Democratic Party
, who want to maintain the political status quo.
The party is affiliated to the International Democrat Union
.
, and maintained a policy of economic liberalisation and social conservatism
, with the party's support based in the fishing industry and private business. The party's economic programme was one of exploitation of local resources to reduce dependence on Denmark, and success of the Sjóvinnubankin was utilised by the party to demonstrate that the Faroes could be economically self-sustaining. The party was given its current name in 1940. In the 1943 Faroese election, the party won 12 out of 25 seats: one short of an overall majority.
The People's Party entered a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party
in 1990, breaking the cycle of centre-right and centre-left coalitions. The party withdrew in 1993, being replaced by left-wing parties. In the 1994 Faroese election
, the party lost over a quarter of its vote, remaining outside government. However, it did return in 1996, this time with the Union Party, the Self-Government Party, and the Labour Front.
In the election in 1998
, the party bounced back to its pre-1994 position, and entered into a cross-spectrum coalition with the Republican Party and the Self-Government Party, under which the People's Party adopted a policy of seeking independence. The independence plan failed in 2001, after Denmark threatened to cut economic assistance earlier than anticipated. In the following year's election
, the party remained on 21% of the vote, and stayed in a renewed coalition that also included the Centre Party
.
When chairman Anfinn Kallsberg
decided not to run for re-election, a new election was slated. There were two candidates, former minister of Fishery, Jørgen Niclasen
, and current minister of Industry, Bjarni Djurholm. The election on 2 August 2007 gave Jørgen Niclasen the majority of the votes, making him the new party chairman. In the Danish parliamentary elections of 2007
the party received 20.5% of the Faroese vote (down from the 24.1% it had won in 2005) and lost the seat it had previously held in the Danish national Folketing
. At the 2008 Faroese election
, the party won 20.1% of the popular vote and seven out of 33 seats. In early elections in 2011
, the party won eight seats.
. In economics, the party is supportive of the economic liberalism
.
The party supports Faroese independence from Denmark. It is one of two major parties (along with Republic) whose primary concern is the constitutional issue, rather than economics.
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
, led by Jørgen Niclasen
Jørgen Niclasen
Jørgen Niclasen is a Faroese politician. He has been the leader of the Faroese People's Party since 2007.On 2 October 2008, he was officially appointed Kaj Leo Johannesen's Deputy Prime Minister....
. One of the four major parties, it's had eight seats in the Løgting
Løgting
Løgting is the unicameral parliament of the Faroe Islands, a self-ruling dependency of Denmark.The name literally means "Law Thing" - that is, a law assembly - and derives from Old Norse lǫgþing, which was a name given to ancient assemblies. A ting or Þing has existed on the Faroe Islands for over...
since the 2011 election
Faroese parliamentary election, 2011
Early parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 29 October, 2011.-Result:The centre-right parties gained significantly, with both the pro-union Union Party and pro-independence People's Party gaining a seat each, as well as the centre-right, liberal, pro-independence Progressive...
, making it the joint-largest party, but neither of the Faroes' seats in the Folketing
Folketing
The Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen....
.
Founded in 1939 as a split from the Self-Government Party, the party has traditionally supported greater autonomy for the Faroe Islands. Party leader Hákun Djurhuus
Hákun Djurhuus
Hákun Djurhuus was the prime minister of the Faroe Islands from 1963-1967. He was born in Tórshavn.He was first elected to the Løgting in 1946 and was its speaker 1950–1951. He was Prime Minister from 1963-1967. He withdrew from politics after the 1980 elections.He died on 22 September 1987.-...
served as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands
This is a list of Prime Ministers of the Faroe Islands.The Faroese term for the function, Løgmaður literally means "Lawman".-First Ministers :-First Ministers :-See also:...
from 1963 to 1967, as did Jógvan Sundstein
Jógvan Sundstein
Jógvan Sundstein is a Faroese politician and member of the Faroese People's Party.Jógvan is the son of Johanna Malena and Hans Jacob Matras Sundstein from Tórshavn. He is married to Lydia from Klaksvík.Jógvan Sundstein is a certified accountant and was a member of numerous boards of directors...
from 1989 to 1991. In 1998, it adopted a policy of full independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
from Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
as part of a coalition deal in which leader Anfinn Kallsberg
Anfinn Kallsberg
Anfinn Kallsberg is a Faroese politician - Prime Minister of his country 1998-2004 - and the leader of the Faroese People's Party...
became PM. Since 2004, except for a short period in 2008, the party has been in coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
with the Union Party and Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Faroe Islands)
The Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic, political party in the Faroe Islands, led by Jóannes Eidesgaard.At the legislative elections, 19 January 2008, the party won 19.3% of the popular vote and 6 out of 32 seats....
, who want to maintain the political status quo.
The party is affiliated to the International Democrat Union
International Democrat Union
The International Democrat Union, abbreviated to IDU, is a centre-right international alliance of conservative and liberal-conservative political parties. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the IDU comprises 45 full or associate members...
.
History
The party was founded in 1939 as Vinnuflokkurin. The party split from the Self-Government Party over land reformLand reform
[Image:Jakarta farmers protest23.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Farmers protesting for Land Reform in Indonesia]Land reform involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding land ownership. Land reform may consist of a government-initiated or government-backed property redistribution,...
, and maintained a policy of economic liberalisation and social conservatism
Social conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
, with the party's support based in the fishing industry and private business. The party's economic programme was one of exploitation of local resources to reduce dependence on Denmark, and success of the Sjóvinnubankin was utilised by the party to demonstrate that the Faroes could be economically self-sustaining. The party was given its current name in 1940. In the 1943 Faroese election, the party won 12 out of 25 seats: one short of an overall majority.
The People's Party entered a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (Faroe Islands)
The Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic, political party in the Faroe Islands, led by Jóannes Eidesgaard.At the legislative elections, 19 January 2008, the party won 19.3% of the popular vote and 6 out of 32 seats....
in 1990, breaking the cycle of centre-right and centre-left coalitions. The party withdrew in 1993, being replaced by left-wing parties. In the 1994 Faroese election
Faroese parliamentary election, 1994
Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 7 July 1994.-Results:...
, the party lost over a quarter of its vote, remaining outside government. However, it did return in 1996, this time with the Union Party, the Self-Government Party, and the Labour Front.
In the election in 1998
Faroese parliamentary election, 1998
Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 30 April 1998.-Results:...
, the party bounced back to its pre-1994 position, and entered into a cross-spectrum coalition with the Republican Party and the Self-Government Party, under which the People's Party adopted a policy of seeking independence. The independence plan failed in 2001, after Denmark threatened to cut economic assistance earlier than anticipated. In the following year's election
Faroese parliamentary election, 1998
Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 30 April 1998.-Results:...
, the party remained on 21% of the vote, and stayed in a renewed coalition that also included the Centre Party
Centre Party (Faroe Islands)
The Centre Party is a Christianity-based, agrarian and conservative political party in the Faroe Islands, led by Jenis av Rana.At the 2008 parliamentary election, the party won 8.4% of the popular vote and 3 out of 33 seats...
.
When chairman Anfinn Kallsberg
Anfinn Kallsberg
Anfinn Kallsberg is a Faroese politician - Prime Minister of his country 1998-2004 - and the leader of the Faroese People's Party...
decided not to run for re-election, a new election was slated. There were two candidates, former minister of Fishery, Jørgen Niclasen
Jørgen Niclasen
Jørgen Niclasen is a Faroese politician. He has been the leader of the Faroese People's Party since 2007.On 2 October 2008, he was officially appointed Kaj Leo Johannesen's Deputy Prime Minister....
, and current minister of Industry, Bjarni Djurholm. The election on 2 August 2007 gave Jørgen Niclasen the majority of the votes, making him the new party chairman. In the Danish parliamentary elections of 2007
Danish parliamentary election, 2007
The 66th Folketing election in Denmark was held on 13 November 2007. The election allowed prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to continue for a third term in a coalition government consisting of the Liberals and the Conservative People's Party with parliamentary support from the Danish People's...
the party received 20.5% of the Faroese vote (down from the 24.1% it had won in 2005) and lost the seat it had previously held in the Danish national Folketing
Folketing
The Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen....
. At the 2008 Faroese election
Faroese parliamentary election, 2008
Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 19 January 2008, the latest possible date. The Self-Government Party and the Centre Party gained a seat each while the Social Democratic Party lost a seat. The number of women went from three to seven...
, the party won 20.1% of the popular vote and seven out of 33 seats. In early elections in 2011
Faroese parliamentary election, 2011
Early parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 29 October, 2011.-Result:The centre-right parties gained significantly, with both the pro-union Union Party and pro-independence People's Party gaining a seat each, as well as the centre-right, liberal, pro-independence Progressive...
, the party won eight seats.
Ideology
Generally, the party is liberal conservativeLiberal conservatism
Liberal conservatism also known as progressive conservatism is a variant of political conservatism which incorporates liberal elements. As "conservatism" and "liberalism" have had different meanings over time and across countries, the term "liberal conservatism" has been used in quite different...
. In economics, the party is supportive of the economic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
.
The party supports Faroese independence from Denmark. It is one of two major parties (along with Republic) whose primary concern is the constitutional issue, rather than economics.
Election results
| Election | Vote % | Seats | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 24.7 | 6 | 3rd |
| 1943 | 41.5 | 12 | 1st |
| 1945 Faroese parliamentary election, 1945 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 6 November 1945. The result was a victory for the People's Party, which won 11 of the 25 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
43.4 | 11 | 1st |
| 1946 Faroese parliamentary election, 1946 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1946. The result was a victory for the People's Party, which won 8 of the 18 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
40.9 | 8 | 1st |
| 1950 Faroese parliamentary election, 1950 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1950. The result was a victory for the People's Party, which won 8 of the 25 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
32.3 | 8 | 1st |
| 1954 Faroese parliamentary election, 1954 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1954. The result was a victory for the Union Party, which won 7 of the 27 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
20.9 | 6 | 3rd |
| 1958 Faroese parliamentary election, 1958 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1958. The result was a victory for the Social Democratic Party, which won 8 of the 30 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
17.8 | 5 | 4th |
| 1962 Faroese parliamentary election, 1962 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1962. The result was a victory for the Social Democratic Party, which won 8 of the 29 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
20.2 | 6 | 4th |
| 1966 Faroese parliamentary election, 1966 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1966. The result was a victory for the Social Democratic Party, which won 7 of the 26 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
21.6 | 6 | 3rd |
| 1970 Faroese parliamentary election, 1970 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 7 November 1970. The result was a victory for the Social Democratic Party, which won 7 of the 26 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
20.0 | 5 | 4th |
| 1974 Faroese parliamentary election, 1974 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 7 November 1974. The result was a victory for the Social Democratic Party, which won 7 of the 26 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
20.5 | 5 | 3rd |
| 1978 Faroese parliamentary election, 1978 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 7 November 1978. The Social Democratic Party and the Union Party emerged as the largest parties, each winning eight of the 32 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
17.9 | 6 | 4th |
| 1980 Faroese parliamentary election, 1980 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1980. The result was a victory for the Union Party, which won eight of the 32 seats in the Løgting.-Results:... |
18.9 | 6 | 4th |
| 1984 Faroese parliamentary election, 1984 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 8 November 1984. They were won by the Social Democratic Party, whose leader Atli Dam became Prime Minister.... |
21.6 | 7 | 2nd |
| 1988 Faroese parliamentary election, 1988 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 17 November 1988.-Results:... |
23.2 | 8 | 1st |
| 1990 Faroese parliamentary election, 1990 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 17 November 1990.-Results:... |
21.9 | 7 | 2nd |
| 1994 Faroese parliamentary election, 1994 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 7 July 1994.-Results:... |
16.0 | 6 | 2nd |
| 1998 Faroese parliamentary election, 1998 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 30 April 1998.-Results:... |
21.3 | 8 | 3rd |
| 2002 Faroese parliamentary election, 2002 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 30 April 2002.-Results:... |
20.8 | 7 | 4th |
| 2004 Faroese parliamentary election, 2004 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 20 January 2004.-Results:... |
20.6 | 7 | 4th |
| 2008 Faroese parliamentary election, 2008 Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 19 January 2008, the latest possible date. The Self-Government Party and the Centre Party gained a seat each while the Social Democratic Party lost a seat. The number of women went from three to seven... |
20.1 | 7 | 3rd |
| 2011 Faroese parliamentary election, 2011 Early parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 29 October, 2011.-Result:The centre-right parties gained significantly, with both the pro-union Union Party and pro-independence People's Party gaining a seat each, as well as the centre-right, liberal, pro-independence Progressive... |
22.5 | 8 | 2nd |
Chairmen
| Leader | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jóannes Patursson Jóannes Patursson Jóannes Patursson was a Faroese nationalist leader and poet.He was the great-grandson of the Faroese national hero Nólsoyar Páll. His brother Sverre Patursson was an important writer and his sister Susanna Helena Patursson the first feminist of the Faroe Islands.-Background:Jóannes was born in... |
1940 | 1946 |
| 2nd | Thorstein Petersen | 1946 | 1951 |
| 3rd | Hákun Djurhuus Hákun Djurhuus Hákun Djurhuus was the prime minister of the Faroe Islands from 1963-1967. He was born in Tórshavn.He was first elected to the Løgting in 1946 and was its speaker 1950–1951. He was Prime Minister from 1963-1967. He withdrew from politics after the 1980 elections.He died on 22 September 1987.-... |
1951 | 1980 |
| 4th | Jógvan Sundstein Jógvan Sundstein Jógvan Sundstein is a Faroese politician and member of the Faroese People's Party.Jógvan is the son of Johanna Malena and Hans Jacob Matras Sundstein from Tórshavn. He is married to Lydia from Klaksvík.Jógvan Sundstein is a certified accountant and was a member of numerous boards of directors... |
1980 | 1993 |
| 5th | Anfinn Kallsberg Anfinn Kallsberg Anfinn Kallsberg is a Faroese politician - Prime Minister of his country 1998-2004 - and the leader of the Faroese People's Party... |
1993 | 2007 |
| 6th | Jørgen Niclasen Jørgen Niclasen Jørgen Niclasen is a Faroese politician. He has been the leader of the Faroese People's Party since 2007.On 2 October 2008, he was officially appointed Kaj Leo Johannesen's Deputy Prime Minister.... |
2007 | Present day |