Sambandsflokkurin (The Union Party), Fólkaflokkurin (The People‘s Party) and Miðflokkurin (The Centre Party) have struck a deal to form a new government, report Faroese news outlets today.
This means that the Faroe Islands will have a conservative, right-wing government for the next four years, with Unionist party leader Bárður á Steig Nielsen as the country‘s new prime minister.
The contents of the new coalition deal are yet to be made public.
The new BAH government has 17 mandates in the Løgting (the Faroese parliament).
The Løgting consists of 33 representatives
Meanwhile, it also stands clear that The Centre Party has been handed one ministerial berth. The controversial Christian-democratic party will be in charge of cultural affairs, as well as foreign affairs.
Prior to the General Elections, which were held last month, The Centre Party announced that it intended to repeal same-sex marriage if it returned to power after four years in opposition.
Bill Justinussen, a Centre Party MP, stated that his party aimed to roll back same-sex marriage rights if it became part of a new coalition.
“Marriage is between a man and a woman. The party and all its candidates share this opinion, and the Centre Party thus intends to change the marriage law once again, if we hopefully become part of a new coalition after the elections. Wrongdoings must be corrected as soon as possible. Because two people of the same gender cannot be a married couple due to biological reasons,” said Mr. Justinussen in a reader’s letter prior to the elections.
In April 2016, the Faroese Parliament passed legislation legalizing civil same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands, recognizing same-sex marriages established in Denmark and abroad and allowing same-sex adoption. This was ratified by the Folketing (Danish Parliament) in April 2017. The law went into effect on 1 July 2017.
Article updated, 4:10pm (September 13, 2019)
