Government coalition intact for now

The governing coalition, consisting of Sambandsflokkurin, Fólkaflokkurin and Miðflokkurin, remains intact as none of the three parties have announced a split.

So says Christian Andreasen, chairman of Fólkaflokkurin’s parliamentary group, in a comment regarding the recent government disarray.

He adds that no further news is to be expected until Fólkaflokkurin’s party leadership meets again between Christmas and New Year.

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Two ministerial posts are currently vacant after social affairs minister Elsebeth Mercedis Gunnleygsdóttir and fisheries minister Jacob Vestergaard, both of Fólkaflokkurin, on Monday resigned from their posts to resume their parliamentary seats ahead of the equal rights for same-sex couples vote.

The party leadership will appoint new ministers but, according to Andreasen, this will not happen until the coalition has sorted out its difficulties.

Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen, of Sambandsflokkurin, said on Tuesday that it would be in everyone’s best interest to step back for a few days and reflect on Monday’s events before any further decisions are made.

Miðflokkurin remains undecided

Miðflokkurin has not yet decided on the party’s future collaboration with its fellow coalition parties, according to Rani Skaalum, Miðflokkurin’s party committee chairman.

Although party chairman Jenis av Rana previously has said that Miðflokkurin would not accept that the opposition bills on equal rights for same-sex parents are passed, the party remains part of the coalition.

“The issue of splitting up the ruling coalition is a big one, and such a decision should not be rushed,” says Skaalum.

”It is not Miðflokkurin that is standing in the way of the coalition’s future.”

Members of Miðflokkurin have different views on how the party should proceed following this week’s events. Some want to leave the coalition immediately, while others want to wait and see how things develop over the coming days.

Read the Faroese versions of this article here and here.

More Faroese News in English.