The islands with some 54,000 inhabitants are largely autonomous, but are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and also receive financial support from Copenhagen. Their parliament Løgting is one of the oldest in the world with a history of more than 1000 years.
The parliament has 33 seats, currently divided between seven parties. Three of them had formed a government coalition in 2019, which fell apart a month ago in the dispute over the rights of gay parents and their children. The liberal head of government Bárdur á Steig Nielsen then called for new elections early. Normally, the elections should not have taken place until the end of summer next year.
The latest polls before election day indicated that the Social Democrats, hitherto in the opposition, could emerge as the strongest force. The chairman, former prime minister Aksel V. Johannesen, wants to become prime minister again. Another tripartite coalition is likely to be needed for a majority in parliament.
(SDA)