Europe > Faroe Islands > Government

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Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Capital city	Torshavn
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	62 01 N, 6 46 W
Constitution 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Executive branch > Cabinet Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)
Executive branch > Election results Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 24 September 2008)
Flag description white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
International organization participation Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Judicial branch	none
Legal system the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
Legislative branch > Elections last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
National holiday Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Political parties and leaders Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

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