Bernhardt Olsen, a candidate for the Siumut political party, was seen hanging a campaign poster in Ilulissat, Greenland, on Wednesday. With President Donald Trump expressing interest in acquiring Greenland and calls for independence from Denmark growing in the territory, the future status of the Arctic island was a key consideration for voters as they went to the polls on Tuesday. The election for Greenland’s parliament, known as Inatsisartut, will see the election of 31 lawmakers and has garnered significant global attention this time around.
Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, noted that the current election is distinct due to Trump’s involvement, making the prospect of independence more tangible for voters. Greenlandic politicians had previously viewed independence as a goal for future generations, but recent events have brought the issue to the forefront.
Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of just over 56,000, has been under Danish control for nearly three centuries. It became a formal territory of Denmark in 1953 and gained limited self-governance in 1979, with Copenhagen retaining control over foreign and defense policies. The island contributes nearly $1 billion to Greenland’s economy, benefiting both Denmark and Greenland.
Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, which is rich in natural resources like rare-earth minerals and oil, has been met with resistance from Greenlandic and Danish officials. Despite Trump’s assertions, both Prime Minister Mute Egede and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have firmly rejected the idea of transferring Greenland to the United States.
The election in Greenland has garnered international attention, reflecting the island’s strategic importance and the evolving dynamics of its relationship with Denmark and the United States.
According to a report by Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic daily Sermitsiaq, a survey revealed that 85% of respondents expressed a lack of interest in becoming a part of the United States, with almost half perceiving Trump’s interest as a potential threat. To preempt any potential U.S. interference, Greenland’s parliament recently enacted a law prohibiting foreign contributions to political parties. A young boy was spotted walking home from school in Nuuk, Greenland.
While some political parties, such as the left-wing Naleraq and the center-right Demokraatit party, advocate for a swift transition to full independence and a defense agreement with the U.S. that would provide support without territorial acquisition, others, like the social democratic Siumut party, have previously called for an independence referendum before retracting their position. As the anticipated results are set to be announced early Wednesday, the main question revolves around whether Greenland will maintain its current status within the Kingdom of Denmark, opt for increased autonomy, or establish a close relationship with the U.S. According to Rahbek-Clemmensen from the Royal Danish Defence College, the decision is imminent.
