Greenland’s Election Results Signal Shift in Independence Debate Amidst Geopolitical Scramble
Nuuk, Greenland – The recent parliamentary election in Greenland has brought about a significant shift in the political landscape, with the pro-business opposition party, Demokraatit, emerging victorious. The election, held on Tuesday, was largely influenced by the growing geopolitical interest in the Arctic island, particularly stemming from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s public declaration of wanting to acquire Greenland.
Demokraatit, advocating for a gradual approach to independence from Denmark, secured a substantial 29.9% of the votes, a notable increase from their 9.1% share in the 2021 election. This victory places them ahead of the Naleraq party, which champions a more rapid path to independence, securing 24.5% of the vote.
Trump’s stated ambition, since taking office, to incorporate Greenland into the United States as vital to U.S. security interests has stirred considerable debate and concern among Greenlanders. The vast island, home to approximately 57,000 people, has increasingly become a focal point in the geopolitical competition for dominance in the Arctic region. The melting ice caps are rendering its resources more accessible and unlocking new shipping routes, attracting the attention of global powers like Russia and China, who have been intensifying their military presence in the area.
"People want change… We want more business to finance our welfare," stated Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of Demokraatit and a former minister of industry and minerals. "We don’t want independence tomorrow, we want a good foundation," Nielsen told reporters in Nuuk, emphasizing the party’s cautious approach.
Nielsen will now engage in discussions with other political parties to establish a governing coalition. The ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party and its partner Siumut, both of which also favor a gradual path to independence, secured a combined 36% of the votes, a decrease from their 66.1% share in the 2021 election. Prime Minister Mute Egede of the Inuit Ataqatigiit acknowledged the election results in a Facebook post, expressing his willingness to consider proposals during the upcoming coalition talks.
Greenland, formerly a Danish colony and a territory since 1953, gained a degree of autonomy in 1979 with the establishment of its first parliament. However, Copenhagen continues to oversee foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy, while also providing nearly $1 billion annually to the Greenlandic economy.
In 2009, Greenland gained the right to declare full independence through a referendum, although it has yet to exercise this right, primarily due to concerns that living standards would decline without Denmark’s financial support.
"I strongly believe that we will very soon start to live a life more based on who we are, based on our culture, based on our own language, and start to make regulations based on us, not based on Denmark," said Qupanuk Olsen, a candidate for the pro-independence Naleraq party, highlighting the desire for greater self-determination.
On the other hand, Inge Olsvig Brandt, a candidate for the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party, expressed a more cautious viewpoint: "We don’t need the independence right now. We have too many things to work on. I think we have to work with ourselves, our history, and we are going to have a lot of healing work with us before we can take the next step."
Voting was extended by half an hour at some of the 72 polling stations across the Arctic island, where approximately 40,500 people were eligible to vote, although the final turnout figures were not immediately available.
Trump’s pronounced interest in Greenland has disrupted the existing status quo, and combined with the increasing pride of the Indigenous people in their Inuit culture, it has propelled the issue of independence to the forefront of the election.
During the final debate on Greenland’s state broadcaster KNR, leaders of the five parties currently represented in parliament unanimously expressed their lack of trust in Trump. "He is trying to influence us. I can understand if citizens feel insecure," remarked Erik Jensen, leader of the government coalition partner Siumut.
A January poll indicated that a majority of Greenlanders support independence but are divided on the timing of such a move.
According to Julie Rademacher, a consultant and former advisor to Greenland’s government, the election campaign initially focused on anger and frustration directed at historical wrongdoings by Denmark. "But I think the fear of the U.S. imperialist approach has lately become bigger than the anger towards Denmark," Rademacher noted.
A number of Greenlanders in Nuuk expressed their support for independence but also voiced concerns that a rapid transition could harm the economy and jeopardize Nordic welfare services like universal healthcare and free schooling.
"We don’t want to be part of the U.S. for obvious reasons; healthcare and Trump," said Tuuta Lynge-Larsen, a bank employee and Nuuk resident, emphasizing the significance of the election. "We don’t like the attention, to put it short."
Greenland possesses substantial natural resources, including critical minerals like rare earths, which are essential in high-tech industries ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems. However, Greenland has been slow to exploit these resources due to environmental concerns, severe weather conditions, and China’s dominant control over the sector, which has made it challenging for companies elsewhere to generate profits or secure buyers.
Trump initially suggested he would not rule out using military force to acquire Greenland, which caused alarm among many Greenlanders. However, he later softened his stance, stating that he would respect the will of the local people and was "ready to invest billions of dollars" if they decided to join the U.S.
Egede has maintained that the island is not for sale and has advocated for a broad coalition government to withstand external pressure. In an interview aired by Danish broadcaster DR, he dismissed Trump’s offer as disrespectful, expressing a willingness to cooperate with other countries instead.
The Prime Minister of Denmark has also stated that Greenland is not for sale, emphasizing that it is up to the local people to decide their future.
While all six major political parties support independence, they differ on the specific path and timeline for achieving it.
The pro-independence Naleraq party had gained momentum ahead of the election, boosted by U.S. interest and renewed accusations of Denmark’s historical exploitation of Greenland’s mineral wealth.
The party believes that the U.S. attention strengthens Greenland’s position in secession talks with Denmark and aims to bring a deal with Copenhagen to a vote before the next election in four years.
