missioner Ms. Vibeke
LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since NA)

head of government: Prime Minister Anfinn KALLSBERG (since 15 May
1998)

cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed
by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by
the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 1998 (next to be
held no later than April 2002)

election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent
of parliamentary vote - 52.8%

note: coalition of People's Party, Republican Party and Home Rule
Party

Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32
seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis
from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 30 April 1998 (next to be held not later than
April 2002)

election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party
23.8%, People's Party 21.3%, Social Democratic Party 21.9%, Union
Party 18%, Home Rue Party 7.7%, Center Party 4.1%; seats by party -
Republican Party 8, People's Party 8, Social Democratic Party 7,
Union Party 6, Home Rule Party 2, Center Party 1

note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on
11 March 1998 (next to be held not later than March 2002); results -
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic
Party 1, People's Party 1

Judicial branch: none

Political parties and leaders: Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Home
Rule Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN];
Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes
EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: NC, NIB

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that
extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is
shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Faroe Islands Economy

Economy - overview: The Faroese economy has had a strong performance
since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high
and stable