COPENHAGEN, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The prime minister of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing Danish territory like Greenland, has announced snap parliamentary elections on March 26 following tensions in the ruling coalition.

Social Democrat Aksel Johannesen said his decision was prompted by continued disagreements within the coalition.

His party won a December 2022 election with 26.6 percent of the vote, giving them nine of the 33 seats in the local parliament.

They then formed a government with the Republican Party and the Liberals.

Nestled in the North Atlantic more than 1,100 kilometres from Copenhagen, the 18-island archipelago has been self-governing since 1948 and obtained an expanded autonomy status in 2005.

The islands have autonomy in areas such as fisheries, energy and cultural affairs but foreign affairs and defence remain Denmark's responsibility.

The maximum length of a parliamentary term is four years.