Its prime minister today proposed to hold general elections on March 11, in the midst of the lively interest expressed by the US president in this strategic island in the Arctic region.
The election campaign is expected to rotate around the ambitions for Greenland’s independence, the development of the island’s fragile economy and its relations with Denmark and the United States.
“We are going through a critical period. A time when we have never lived in our home country. It is not the time for internal disputes, “says Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mount Engen, in a post on a social networking platform, without mentioning Trump.
Last December, Donald Trump expressed his desire for the United States to control this strategic island, without excluding the possibility of using military or financial power to achieve its purpose.
Greenland has stated that it is open to proposals for economic cooperation, but made it clear that it did not want to become part of the United States.
Until 1953, Denmark’s colony has gained widespread autonomy since then -including the right to become independent -although Copenhagen remains responsible for its security and foreign policy.
Most Greenlanders would vote in favor of independence in a possible referendum, according to a recent Verian poll on behalf of the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic Sermitsiaq. However, 45% clarified that they did not want independence if it is accompanied by a decrease in living standards. Only 28% opposed Greenland’s independence.
Greenland has a huge, unused, mineral wealth, but the economy depends on fishing and annual grants by Copenhagen.
RES/EIA
