The number of government ministries under Prime Minister Aksel Johannesen is being reduced from eight to five as of December 1st, the Faroese Government announced.
Following an advisory report from a new reform task force, the number of government ministers including the Prime Minister will thus will be reduced from nine to six.
Whereas three government ministers will leave their post, government functions will continue like normal with some rearrangements and substitutions taking place among the various departments.
For example, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Fisheries will be abolished, with Fisheries being organized under a new Ministry of Industry, whereas Social Affairs and Public Health will be merged into one department.
Starting December 1st, the government cabinet under Prime Minister Johannesen will consist of the following.
• Minister of Finance: Ruth Vang;
• Minister of Industry: Eirikur í Jákupsstovu;
• Minister of Children and Education: Súsanna Bertholdsen;
• Minister of Social Affairs and Health: Margit Stórá;
• Minister of Foreign Affairs and Environment: Sirið Stenberg (also Deputy Prime Minister).
Bjarni Kárason Petersen, Minister of Justice, Djóni Nolsøe Joensen, Minsiter of Children and Education, and Jóhan Christiansen, Minister of Fisheries, will be released from their positions on December 1st, as per the announcement.
The changes in the Government were outlined by a committee established in September to propose reforms that will strengthen the public sector and cut public spending. According to the committee, the reduction of Government Ministries will, over time, save some 20 million DKK (approximately 3M EUR).
