The Prime Minister's New Years Speech 2025

My fellow Faroese

On a dark autumn evening in October 1943, in the midst of the harshest years of the war, a small, slender woman in her twenties walks calmly along a narrow pier in Sydhavn in Copenhagen.

She walks steadily, even though her heart is pounding in her chest.

With her she carries her most important possessions, for she is fleeing the German occupation of Denmark.

The young woman is Sanna Dahl, a newly qualified doctor.

She wants to make it home to the Faroe Islands, even though she knows the journey is life-threatening.

In the darkness she makes out the small fishing boat that will take her and a Jewish family across the Øresund. If they are caught, the end is certain.

On board, silence reigns.

Only when they reach Swedish waters can they breathe more freely. The first part of the dangerous journey to the Faroe Islands is over.

Sanna Dahl travelled against the current and made it home during the war. In reality, it was not supposed to be possible. But she did it. From Denmark to Sweden to London to Scotland - and the final leg on a ship carrying British soldiers from Scotland to the Faroe Islands. The journey took 13 months.

She wanted to come home because she knew there was a severe shortage of doctors in the Faroe Islands during the war. She saw it as her duty to be part of the solution.

Even though it is now 80 years since the war ended, the story of Sanna Dahl should still serve as a role model for us.

Because she did not complain that nothing was being done. She did not ask others to go.

She took responsibility herself.

Even today, Faroese people take great responsibility - in many areas.

We take responsibility for our own lives; for our work situation, our finances, our homes and households.

We take responsibility for our children. We teach them to lend a hand where it helps, and to give where there is little to spare.

We care for our parents as they grow old, and we help when illness strikes friends and neighbours. There is always room at the table for one more - and a bed is always available if someone needs shelter.

We also take responsibility for the community. We pay part of our wages into the common purse every month, and we contribute countless voluntary hours to sport, community life and charitable work.

In these areas, we take responsibility every day. In everyday life, the old values still stand strong.

As the men's national football team coach, Eyðun Klakstein, wrote in an article this autumn:

"The Faroe Islands are not the most obvious place to build a society. Out in the North Atlantic, remote, small, harsh, unforgiving. Everything is built on cooperation and solidarity - between people, in families, in villages, across the entire country."

That is how it has always been. And over time we embedded this vital solidarity into systems, so that everyone had the same opportunities. That required struggle, perseverance and determination. It secured for us one of the world's best, most equal and safest societies.

But there is danger in every welfare system.

The welfare structures were never intended as a cushion to lie back on. Rather, the aim was to create the best conditions for diligence and active participation in life.

"Do your duty - and then claim your rights," goes the old slogan.

But in recent years, something has changed. I believe that we have increasingly forgotten the first part about duties and responsibility. Instead, we focus on the latter part - on demands and rights.

But we cannot demand rights if we do not first take responsibility.

We cannot demand welfare if we are unwilling to pay for it.

And we cannot demand more for ourselves if someone else must simultaneously receive less.

Because nothing comes by itself.

It did not for Sanna Dahl either.

Throughout her life, she took responsibility wherever she saw a need.

She sought new knowledge and willingly shared what she learned.

Sanna carried out research into genetics, cancer and tuberculosis. She initiated the Cancer Research Campaign and hip screenings for infants. She built up the radiology department and volunteered to conduct breast cancer screenings after working hours. During the winter of 1946-47, she was the sole assistant doctor, working both night and day.

"What can I do?" the young Sanna asked when she learned of the doctor shortage in the Faroe Islands.

And that question shaped her entire medical career.

It has also, for centuries, shaped the Faroese sense of responsibility towards one another - and our distinctive solidarity.

But the old question, "What can I do?", is now gradually being replaced by a new one: "Why don't you do something else?"

Instead of taking responsibility ourselves, we place it on those who try. Instead of being part of the solution, we criticise.

We see increasing examples of this.

Modern-day Sannas, who see a need and take responsibility - who devote voluntary energy to sport, charity or community initiatives - feel this shift.

And we feel it in politics too.

People agree that the national treasury must show a surplus, and that necessary reforms must be made.

But preferably those necessary reforms should affect someone else.

Whether we make changes to the government, the public administration, the school system, the healthcare system, social services, fisheries, aquaculture, pensions, fees or taxes - we are in favour, as long as it does not affect us personally.

I fully understand that everyone looks after their own interests. But we must ask: is this solidarity?

Should we merge municipalities? Yes - just not mine.

Should we merge schools? Yes - just not my school.

Should we merge institutions? Yes - just not my institution.

Everyone agrees that responsibility must be taken. But preferably by someone else.

In this, we are all complicit.

Not least us politicians.

Because we often see our own local area more clearly than the whole. Often we prioritise our own voters over what is best for the majority. And often it is emotions or populism that govern, rather than reason, so that we split into small, weak groups instead of acting as one strong unit.

We must work better together - across local areas, across parties and across viewpoints.

Just like Sanna, it is our duty to be part of the solution.

To ask what we can do.

To take responsibility.

My fellow Faroese

When I look back on the past year, there have been many great moments. Among them are the Island Games, handball, football and the Nordic Council prizes. These moments have filled me with pride - and they have united us as a nation.

Politically, this parliamentary term has involved many major issues. We have implemented changes to strengthen sustainability and welfare.

I know that many decisions have not been popular, and I acknowledge that the coalition has not always shown consensus. It is a fact that major issues stir emotions and make the rowing difficult.

But even when the oars have clashed and someone has lost their grip, we have still maintained progress. Despite taking on water on both sides, we have kept our course: to future-proof the Faroese welfare society.

Looking ahead, it is clear that we must implement several difficult reforms.

We must all give something, so that our children may have a good and secure future in the Faroe Islands.

We must all give something, so that our parents may receive proper care if they become dependent.

And we must all give something, so that our core welfare can endure.

The rights that today are taken for granted are under threat. That is why we must make changes.

They will affect someone.

We have begun at the top - in the political structure. With ourselves. That was my decision. I believe it was the right decision. But we must do more.

We must also simplify our systems. A country as small as ours cannot afford such heavy and complex structures.

The aim of these reforms is the same as that which has guided my entire political life: to preserve an equal society with solidarity between people and generations.

Equal societies, where everyone takes responsibility for one another, are the best and safest.

And we must continually create security here at home - especially now that the global situation is uncertain.

In the book about Sanna Dahl, we see how the war affected everyday life. No postal service, blackout regulations and no social assistance.

The war created fear and anxiety - but it also made people help one another and take responsibility.

After decades of peace, uncertainty has returned. We face threats from the east and threats from the west - and great powers do not hesitate to subjugate other countries through military force.

The uncertainty has come closer.

Recently, we have seen hybrid attacks affecting our neighbours. And the latest statement from the United States strikes directly at the heart of the realm community.

We are being drawn in, whether we want to be or not. That is why we must do our part - even though we are small.

We leave no doubt that the international community must be governed by law and international rules - not by military force.

And with Western values, we stand together with Europe - especially with the Nordic countries.

My fellow Faroese,

As the year draws to a close, New Year celebrations take place across the country. But nowhere are they as magnificent as in the home village of Sanna Dahl.

In Vágur, people gather for the renowned New Year celebration.

The late Hans í Líðini described it like this:

"In this moment there is no conflict or dispute, for here the entire village stands together. Everyone walks side by side westwards towards Sandin, where all that is old is to be burned.

The preparations for the New Year celebration in Vágur are extensive, and during this work all disagreements are set aside. Everyone works together, and everyone takes responsibility for making the evening as good as possible."

It is exemplary.

New Year's Eve is a time to reflect on the year that has passed - and to look ahead.

I think of those of you who celebrate tonight with joy and hope. Who are looking forward to something big. May everything go well for you - and may you feel great shared happiness.

I also think of those of you who worry, struggle and grieve.

Although fate is often difficult to understand, I hope that in dark moments you feel the glimmer of care and help that has always shaped life in the Faroe Islands.

May we Faroese continue to help one another in dark days - just as in bright ones.

If I am to conclude by setting a goal for the coming year, I will point to the virtues of Sanna Dahl.

That we see the need and take responsibility.

That we do our duty before we demand our rights.

And that we build bridges and work together on the challenges - for people and for the future.

Happy New Year to you all,

God bless the Faroe Islands.

Aksel V. Johannesen, Prime Minister

Photo: Bjarni Árting Rubeksen, Kringvarp Føroya