Most residents support independence – but that does not mean that this majority are comfortable with Trump’s wishes, which has even admitted to use the military force to stop taking the region
Under normal circumstances, few would pay attention to Tuesday’s legislative elections in Granelândia. But these are not normal times and, month and a half after Donald Trump’s arrival at US power under promises of Denmark Semi -autonomous, the international community is with their eyes on plebiscite.
For Trump, the territory rich in minerals and with about 57,000 residents is vital to the strategic and safety interests of the United States, which has been central to a geopolitical race for Arctic dominance since January 20, where the defrost is facilitating access to its natural resources and opening new international trade routes.
Among the island’s vast resources include rare minerals used in the technology industry, from electric vehicles to missile systems, whose exploitation has been slow to environmental concerns, adverse weather conditions and almost total control of this sector by China. In recent years, whether Russia or China have also intensified its in the former colonies that have been part of the Denmark Territory since 1953.
In 1979, the island gained some autonomy from the continent, with its first parliament to be formed this year. However, Copenhagen has still control over Granelândia’s external, defense and monetary policy controls, assigning him just under $ 1 billion a year to support his budget.
It is mainly because of this economic support that Granelândia has never declared independence from Denmark, something it can do since 2009 through a referendum.
For fear that the local economy collapse without this support, the resident population never voted to become independent of Denmark, but, in the face of Trump’s interest and threat – together with what Reuters defines as the “” of the indigenous Inuit – the question of independence has gained new glow.
“Trump put the question of independence under steroids and put a lid on everyday affairs,” says Masaana Egede, editor of the local newspaper Sermitsiaq, to the US agency.
A released in January, days after Trump uttered his first threat, a poll showed that a majority of Granelândia residents support independence, but is divided as to the impact of this decision, particularly on access to free and quality health care guaranteed by the Nordic country.
This month, Trump refused to exclude the hypothesis of resorting to military force to attach Granelândia by force, which alarmed many local residents. Later, the US leader softened his stance, saying he is ready to respect the willingness of the places and to “invest thousands of millions of dollars” if Grolândia decides to join the US.
In response, Gronelândia’s current Prime Minister Mute Egede said the island is not for sale and defended a wide-rated government coalition to cope with external pressures. In an interview with Danish broadcaster DR, granted Monday, the eve of local legislatures, Eged repeated that Trump’s proposal is “disrespectful” and that, if he continues to the row of local government, he intends to cooperate with other countries.
The six major parties in the territory, including Inuit Ataqatigiit, in power, and Siumutut, a coalition partner, support Granelândia’s independence, but differ in the form and moment it can be achieved.
The Pro-Independence Party Naleraq, the largest opposition, has benefited from the US interest and renewed accusations to Denmark for exploring Granelândia’s mineral wealth for its own advantage. “This is our election for independence,” says Reuters Quenanuk Olsen, a Naleraq candidate who plans to start conversations with Copenhagen to secession and bring potential agreement to the referendum before the upcoming elections, which takes place in four years.
The ballot boxes will open at 11:00 (time from mainland Portugal) and close at 10pm. The results should be announced at dawn on Wednesday, between 1h and 3 am in mainland Portugal, not anticipating any polls to the ballot box. It is unlikely that any of the six parties earn absolute majority.
