The so-called national agreement puts the welfare of the Faroese at risk

There has been a debate lately about the so-called national agreement, which is made between five parties in Parliament. The only thing they agree on is that the Faroe Islands should leave the state.

Here are the reasons why the Union Party does what it does, and what we propose.

Withdrawal

First and foremost, the reason why the Union Party is not involved in the agreement is that the parties want to withdraw from the state – we do not want that. It is not because the Allies have different blood than other Faroese, but for the simple reason that this puts the welfare of the Faroese citizen at risk.

New Union – Greater foreign policy powers

The Commonwealth must become more timely and more foreign policy powers must be obtained – we fully agree with this. Already last summer we submitted our proposal for a Self-Government Act, where foreign policy channel space will be formalized. We say in Nýtt Samband, what we want to preserve, and what needs to be changed – practically. This national agreement intends exactly what we proposed then – except that the Prime Minister wants to take the Faroe Islands out of the commonwealth.

Nothing on the table

How can you talk about such revolutionary changes and agreements that you intend to take to negotiations with the Danish government, when absolutely nothing concrete is done? To announce change loudly without having prepared anything at all – and not informing the public about it – is absurd and deeply frivolous. It creates a frightening situation for the Faroese. It is not right to do – neither by an ordinary citizen nor by the leadership of the country.

Limassol

Independent membership of international organizations must be achieved – all parties want it wholeheartedly! The §6 Committee is currently in the process of reaching a conclusion on WTO membership. This finding can be used, in the event of a positive outcome, to reinterpret past rejected requests. It’s not necessarily just about the WTO in that case.

Membership in various associations is not only a solution. Everything must be negotiated! EFTA is mentioned as an example, where it is said that we must become an independent country in order to gain membership. But legally there is also a possibility to become a member if the other member states agree – and that is where the dog lies buried, because in the past the member states have denied access to the Faroese because they do not want us as members. To think that everything is solved by a solution is to take reality too lightly – negotiations must always exist!

§6 the committee and shifting focus

When the §6 Committee has reached its conclusion, the starting point will be clearer. So why not wait until the autumn, when the results are available? Yes, I allow myself to make mistakes that this is to shift the focus. The pension issue, the South Iceland Tunnel, VAT exemption on consumer goods and a shortened working week. These are all issues that have not been dealt with by the coalition. And they cost – very much – where only one gives revenue. There is still a deficit in the budget and no fiscal policy regulations have been submitted to Parliament yet. Nothing seems to work for the coalition – but despite that, the MP chooses to go ahead with a new issue, which is revolutionary, without a clear plan. This is completely irresponsible – but a useful misleading, if the purpose is to divert the attention of the voter.

The federal party is in a bind

The Social Democratic Party is not involved in the so-called national agreement, because we do not want to withdraw from the state and gamble with welfare – but we want greater foreign policy channel space and updating of outdated laws. We will always do what we think is best for the Faroe Islands, if all parties make an agreement outside of us.

Let’s go to the negotiating table according to what we all want, to make the statehood timely and more foreign policy powers should be obtained. Then we can stand together and get a good solution for the Faroe Islands and the Faroese.

The Federal Party,

Bárður on Steig Nielsen

chairman