Greenland’s pro-business and social liberal Demokraatit opposition party— which favors a slower approach to the island’s independence from Denmark—emerged as the big winner in the country’s parliamentary election that took place in the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s expression of serious interest in the U.S. taking over the territory for “national security and even international security” purposes.
Chairman of Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen talks to the media during the election party at ... [+]
Votes from all 72 polling stations across the island were approved early on Wednesday with the Demokraatit emerging as the biggest party with 29.9% of the votes.
Naleraq, the populist pro-independence party which favors closer ties with the U.S., led the early vote count but ended in second place, winning 24.5% of the votes.
The two members of Greenland’s ruling coalition, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut, saw a significant drop in their vote count compared to the 2021 election as they secured 21.4% and 14.7% of the votes respectively.
The Demokraatit party, which did not secure an absolute majority, will need to ally with another party to form a government and its leader Jens–Frederik Nielsen said he plans on reaching out to all other parties to discuss a coalition.
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On Tuesday, Nielsen was asked by Sky News what message the parliamentary election might send to Trump, and he said: “I hope it sends a clear message to him that we are not for sale…We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves, not with his hope.”
Denmark, partially. Greenland, which became self-governed in 2009, was colonized by Denmark some 300 years ago and still controls Greenland’s foreign and defense policies.
Greenland would need to hold a referendum to break away from Denmark as part of a larger, lengthy process that could take 10-15 years, Kaj Kleist, a veteran Greenlandic politician and civil servant, told BBC. Kleist noted the process would also include a “lot of preparation and negotiations with the Danish government” before full independence could be achieved.
Egede has led the movement for Greenland’s independence from Denmark, according to ABC News, noting an address to the nation Egede made in January, when he said “we must work to remove the obstacles to cooperation—which we can describe as the shackles of colonialism—and move forward.” Egede has said Trump’s comments about taking over Greenland have been “disrespectful,” telling a Danish broadcaster Greenland deserves “to be treated with respect, and I don't think the American president has done that lately." Pipaluk Lynge, a member of parliament from the United Inuit party, told the Associated Press she thinks most of the territory has “been scared since the new year because of (Trump’s) interest,” adding “we’re really, really looking to Europe right now to see if we could establish a stronger bond with them to secure our sovereign nation.”
Trump said in his recent address to Congress the U.S. supports Greenland’s right to determine its own future, directly addressing the territory’s people and adding, “if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.” The comments marked a stark change from remarks he made about Greenland in January, when he said the U.S. would not rule out military action or economic penalties to take control of the territory. Trump has floated the idea of purchasing Greenland for several years, provoking figures like Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to push back on the idea recently, emphasizing that the island is “not for sale.” Trump has said the U.S. needs Greenland for “national security and even international security,” claiming if it were under American control, it would be kept safe and made rich.
Greenland has been sought after by countries like the U.S. and Russia, with suitors specifically attracted by the island’s mineral resources and its location as a strategic Arctic military asset. The island is home to fewer than 60,000 people, some of whom have expressed opposition against becoming part of the U.S. A poll from Danish news outlets Berlingske and Sermitsiaq found 85% of respondents did not want to be controlled by the U.S. Additionally, 56% of those surveyed said they would vote for independence from Denmark if a referendum were held. Greenland’s independence from Denmark could open the door to the U.S. entering the ownership picture for the island. However, BBC reported five out of six party leaders said in a final debate before the election that they did not believe Trump could be trusted. Naleraq, the territory’s largest opposition party, has promised to create a vote on independence in three to four years. Meanwhile, other parties have been more reluctant about moving to such a vote so fast, as cutting ties with Denmark could prove to be a financial blow to Greenland’s economy, which receives over $565 million a year in subsidies from Denmark, accounting for a fifth of its economic output, according to BBC.
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