Miðflokkurin is in charge amid government gridlock

The issue of parental leave for same-sex couples has been a sticking point for the government ever since the coalition was formed.

This issue has now reached boiling point after two coalition MPs voted with the opposition at the second reading of three proposals seeking to improve the rights of same-sex couples.

Both of the governing coalition MPs, Johan Dahl of Sambandsflokkurin and Annika Olsen of Fólkaflokkurin, insist they will not change their vote for the upcoming third reading, regardless of what solution the Prime Minister comes up with.

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KvF asked three political commentators – former Prime Minister Jóannes Eidesgaard and former ministers Tórbjørn Jacobsen and Bjørn Kalsø – to share their views on the fate of the government.

“None of the government parties are particularly keen on calling an election at this point,” they say, referring to a recent poll which indicates that voter support for Sambandsflokkurin and Fólkaflokkurin is at near-historic lows.

 >> SEE ALSO Parental leave system “discriminates”

So, what options does the government have?

One would be that Miðflokkurin takes back its threat to break up the coalition if same-sex couples are granted greater rights.

“Miðflokkurin will probably do well in an upcoming election,” says Jacobsen.

“But Miðflokkurin currently oversees both culture and foreign affairs, and I doubt that the party wants to relinquish those posts and risk not becoming part of the next governing coalition.”

Other options include the Prime Minister calling an election or Fólkaflokkurin conducting an internal reshuffle to the effect that Annika Olsen, who sits as a substitute MP, is stripped of her Parliamentary seat.

Dispute on transport policy

To add to the government’s woes, Fólkaflokkurin is seeing internal discord regarding the new transport package presented by party leader and finance minister Jørgen Niclasen on Friday.

Two of the party’s MPs, Brandur Sandoy and Heðin Zachariassen, say they will be voting against this policy in its current form, as does Sambandsflokkurin’s Johan Dahl.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.