Referendum or popular consultation
Faroese independence referendum, 1946
Voters narrowly backed separation from Denmark, but the Løgting's declaration of independence was not recognised and was reversed after a fresh election.
What happened
Voters were asked whether the Faroe Islands should separate from Denmark. On 14 September 1946, 5,660 votes (50.72%) favoured separation and 5,499 (49.28%) favoured continued union, with 481 invalid or blank ballots, on a turnout of 67.61%.[1][2]
The Speaker of the Løgting declared independence on 18 September, but this was not recognised by a majority of the Løgting or by the Danish parliament and government.[3] King Christian X dissolved the Løgting on 24 September and called a fresh election; held on 8 November 1946, it produced 7,488 votes for unionist parties against 5,396 for independence parties.[4]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: On 14 September 1946, Faroese voters were asked whether the Faroe Islands should separate from Denmark.
- 1946 Faroese independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, infobox and lead. Source record
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2.
Claim: The result was 5,660 votes (50.72%) for separation and 5,499 votes (49.28%) against, with 481 invalid or blank ballots, on a turnout of 67.61% of 17,216 registered voters.
- 1946 Faroese independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Results section. Source record
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3.
Claim: The Speaker of the Løgting declared independence on 18 September 1946, but this was not recognised by a majority of the Løgting or by the Danish parliament and government.
- 1946 Faroese independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Aftermath section. Source record
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4.
Claim: King Christian X dissolved the Løgting on 24 September 1946 and called fresh elections; in the election of 8 November 1946, unionist parties won 7,488 votes against 5,396 for independence parties.
- 1946 Faroese independence referendum (Wikipedia) link, Aftermath section. Source record