New Year’s speech “personal, simple and vague”

On Sunday night, Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen delivered his fourth and last New Year’s speech of this term.

According to rhetorician Kára Bjarnadóttir Jacobsen, the speech was simple and personal, just like a New Year’s speech should be.

“The Prime Minister made effective use of examples and anecdotes to address the Faroese people.”

The political aspect of the speech was clear, although cleverly concealed.

“The Prime Minister indirectly praised the government’s work by highlighting the prosperity enjoyed by the Faroese public in recent years. The General Election is due this year, so that’s not surprising to hear.”

The rhetorician adds, however, that the speech could have been less vague.

Opposition party leaders have also given their views on the PM’s speech.

Jørgen Niclasen, of Fólkaflokkurin (the People’s Party), says the speech included a disguised criticism of the media for being too negative.

Bárður á Steig Nielsen, of Sambandflokkurin (the Union Party), thinks the speech lacked a forward-looking element.

Jógvan Skorheim, of Sjálvstýri (the Self-Governing Party), criticises the political aspect of the speech, while Jenis á Rana, of Miðflokkurin (the Central Party), says the PM forgot to include the less well-off in his speech.

Translated by prosa.fo