The centerpiece of the campaign before Tuesday’s parliamentary elections in Greenland was to gain independence. The Danish Constitution and Legislation have already prepared a way to achieve it. TASR reports according to AFP.
All major political parties support Greenland’s independence
Independence is supported by all major Greenland political parties. The discussions were mainly led to when to interrupt relations with Denmark and not to interrupt them. Article 19 of the Danish Constitution entitles the Danish government to give up part of its territory if it has the consent of Parliament.
“General understanding is that without constitutional amendments and without the change of the Danish Constitution, it could be given away part of the country or Greenland became independent,” Professor Frederik Waage, a public law expert from the University of Juhoda (SDU) in Odese, told AFP.
The Greenland Act on self -government of 2009 “basically sets out a plan of independence”, he explained. Pursuant to Article 21 of the Act, “Greenland’s decision on Greenland’s independence” will be taken by Greenland.
Subsequently, interviews should be conducted between the Danish and Greenland governments to reach an agreement. It must then be approved by the Greenland Parliament, the referendum on the island and approve the Danish parliament.
Even US President Donald Trump in a speech in the US Congress 4th March acknowledged that “incredible people” Greenland have the right to self -determination. “And if you decide, we welcome you in the United States of America,” he said. He also promised to make them “rich” and keep them safe “.
The Act on Self -Government does not define which “Greenland people” could vote in a referendum on independence. This was stimulated by the debates on Greenland’s nationality and the possible formation of the “Inuit Register” with the exception of the Danes.
“People who have colonized the country must not allow them to decide whether or not want to continue (colonization),” Broberg Pele told the Danish daily Berling.
Jorgen Albaek Jensen, as Emeritus Professor of Law at the Aarhus University, considers such a register to be “very, very difficult”.
“There are so many mixed marriages between the Greenlands and the Danes. Should you be a half Greencake? Or a quarter? “He told AFP.
The Rules in the Elections in the Greenland Parliament Inatsisartut are clear: Danish citizens who have lived in Greenland for more than six months have the right to vote. Therefore, about 17,000 Greenlands who live in Denmark, with the exception of registered students, cannot vote.
In September, the germinating government of Greenland commissioned the Commission to legally examine all aspects of the process of activating Article 21 of the Act on Self -Government. Its opinion is expected at the end of 2026. Until then, none of the major Greenland political parties plan to start the process of gaining independence.
“This is a long -term project,” Professor Waage explained. “In Denmark, it is certainly understood that complete independence will not be reached until Trump is president,” he added
According to a poll survey conducted by the Verian Institute at the end of January, 56 percent of Greencans are for independence. It is 45 percent if this would mean a deterioration of their standard of living.
Greenland is currently facing strong emigration because young people who have acquired education abroad are no longer returning home. According to the Greenland Statistical Office, the population is expected to reduce from the current 57,000 to less than 50,000 around 2040.
