Aksel V. Johannesen

Aksel Vilhelmsson Johannesen (born 8 November 1972) is a Faroese lawyer and politician who had served as the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands from 2022 to 2026 and from 2015 to 2019, currently serving as the Minister of Finance. He has been a member of the Løgting since 2011, as a member of the Social Democratic Party. Prior to his tenure as prime minister he was Minister of Health Affairs and Minister of Finance.

Aksel Vilhelmson Johannesen was born in Klaksvík, on 8 November 1972, to Johild and Vilhelm Johannesen. His father was a member of the National Council and Folketing. He graduated from the University of Copenhagen with a Master of Laws in 2004, and practice law in Tórshavn.

Johannesen is also a noted runner, and was the national 100 meter champion in 1994. He also played volleyball for Mjølnir, the club of Klaksvík.

Johannesen with Ursula von der Leyen in 2024

In the 2011 election Johannesen won a seat in the Løgting. During his tenure in the Løgting he was a member of the Finance, Working, Welfare, and Foreign Affairs committees.On 5 March 2011, he defeated Heðin Mortensen to become leader of the Social Democratic Party by a vote of 102 to 41. He was a temporary member of the Folketing from 20 April to 20 May 2012. He was Minister of Health Affairs from 2009 to 2011, and Minister of Finance in 2011.

From 15 September 2015 to 14 September 2019, Johannesen served as Prime Minister until his coalition lost their majority in the 2019 election. He regained the position on 22 December 2022. His government survived a motion of no confidence in 2017, by a vote of 15 to 17 against.

Johannesen married Katrin Apol, with whom he had three children.