Greenland’s pro-negotiation party, DeMokraitat, won the parliamentary election held on Tuesday (11), surpassing the left coalition in a vote dominated by the promise of US President Donald Trump to take control of the territory.
DeMokraatit, which favors a slow approach to Denmark’s independence, guaranteed 29.9% of those, above 9.1% in 2021, ahead of the Naleraq opposition party, which favors rapid independence with 24.5%.
Since taking office in January, Donald Trump has promised to make Greenland – a Denmark semi -autonomous territory – part of the United States, saying that it is vital to US security interests, an idea rejected by most Greenlanders.
The island, with a population of approximately 57,000 inhabitants, was taken in a geopolitical race for the Arctic dominance, where the melting of polar caps is making its resources more accessible and opening new navigation routes. Both Russia and China intensify military activities in the region.
“People want change… We want more business to finance our well-being. We don’t want independence tomorrow, we want a good base ”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of DeMokraatit and former Minister of Industry and Minerals
Now he must keep conversations with other parties to try to form a government coalition.
The Inuit Ataqatigiit Government Party, and its partner Siumutut, who also seek a slow path to independence, obtained 36% of the votes, below 66.1% in 2021.
“We respect the outcome of the election,” said Prime Minister Mute Egede of Inuit Ataqatigit in a Facebook post, adding that he would hear any proposals in the upcoming coalition negotiations.
Greenland is an ancient Danish colony and has been a territory since 1953. It has gained some autonomy in 1979, when its first parliament was formed, but Copenhagen still controls foreign relations, defense and monetary policy and provides just under $ 1 billion a year for the economy.
In 2009, he gained the right to declare total independence through a referendum, although he did not do so concern that life standards would fall without the economic support of Denmark.
“I strongly believe that very soon we will begin to live a life more based on who we are, based on our culture, based on our own language, and we will begin to make regulations based on us, not based on Denmark.”
QUPANUK OLSEN, candidate of the main pro-independence party Naleraq
“We don’t need independence now. We have many things to work. I think we have to work with ourselves, with our history, and we will have a lot of healing work before taking the next step, ”said Ing Olsvig Brandt, candidate of the Inuit Ataqatigit government party
The vote was extended for half an hour in some of the 72 electoral sections of the Arctic Island, where about 40,000 people were able to vote, although the end of the final wills were not immediately available.
Infit
It shook the local situation that, along with the growing pride of the innable indigenous peoples, placed independence in front and in the center of the election.
In the final debate at Greenland’s state station KNR, on Monday night (10), leaders of the five parties in Parliament unanimously said they did not trust Trump.
“He is trying to influence us. I can understand if citizens feel insecure, ”said Erik Jensen, leader of the government coalition partner, Siumutut.
A January survey suggested that most Greenland’s inhabitants support independence, but are divided over the moment.
At first, the election campaign focused on Rabies and Frustration aimed at historical errors of Denmark, according to Julie Rademacher, consultant and former advisor to the Greenland government.
“I think the fear of the US imperialist approach lately has become greater than anger over Denmark,” said Rademacher.
Reuters spoke to Greenlandes in Nuuk, all of whom said they were in favor of independence, although many expressed concern that a rapid transition could harm the economy and eliminate Nordic well-being services such as universal medical care and free education.
“We don’t want to be part of the US for obvious reasons; Medical assistance and Trump, ”said Tuta Lynge-Larsen, a bank employee and resident of Nuk, adding that this election was especially important.
The island has substantial natural resources, including essential minerals, such as rare lands used in high -tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.
However, Greenland has been slow to extract them due to environmental concerns, severe climate and almost total control of China over the sector, which has made it difficult for companies elsewhere to make a profit or secure buyers.
Investment commitments
Trump initially refused to rule out military force to take control of the territory, alarming many Greenlandes, although later he softened his position, stating that he would respect the will of the local population and were “ready to invest billions of dollars” if they joined the US.
The prime minister emphasized that the island is not for sale and defended a broad coalition government to resist external pressure.
In an interview broadcast on Monday by Danish broadcaster DR, he rejected and, expressing the willingness to cooperate with other countries.
Denmark Prime Minister said Greenland is not on sale, but made it clear that it is up to the local population to decide their future.
All the top six political parties support independence, but they differ on how and when it can be achieved.
The Pro-Independence Naleraq Party, the main opposition force, gained strength before the election, reinforced by US interest and new accusations of historical exploitation of Greenland’s mineral richness by Denmark.
The party believes US attention strengthens Greenland’s position in secession negotiations with Denmark and intends to bring a deal with Copenhagen the vote before the next election in four years.
