In a surprise turn of events, Greenland’s opposition party, Demokraatit, has emerged victorious in the island’s general election, riding a wave of support for independence from Denmark. This development comes as former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in purchasing the strategic territory.
The Demokraatit party, which advocates for a gradual approach to independence, secured approximately 30% of the vote, according to near-complete results. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the party’s leader, emphasized the need for unity in the face of external attention, stating, “Greenland wants us to stand together during a time when we are receiving a lot of attention from the outside.” He added that it is essential to work together to enter into talks with all parties.
The Demokraatit party will now need to negotiate with other parties to form a government. Five of the six parties that ran in the election support independence from Denmark, but they differ on the timing and pace of the separation process. The Demokraatit party, which increased its vote share by 20% compared to the 2021 election, is considered a moderate force in the independence movement.
The Naleraq party, another opposition party that supports immediate independence and closer ties with the US, came in second with nearly 25% of the vote. The party’s popularity surged before the election after Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, one of the most popular young politicians, defected from a governing party to join Naleraq. She is the second-most popular politician in Greenland, after Nielsen.
The two current governing parties, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and Siumut, came in third and fourth place, respectively. Greenland, the world’s largest island, has a population of just 57,000 people and has been under Danish rule for over 300 years. As a semi-autonomous territory, Greenland has control over domestic affairs, but Denmark is responsible for foreign policy and defense.
According to Maria Ackrén, a professor at the University of Greenland, the Demokraatit party’s victory can be attributed to Nielsen’s advocacy for gradual independence, focusing on making Greenland’s self-government successful first. Ackrén noted that while many Greenlanders ultimately aspire to independence, they also want to see reforms in areas such as the economy, healthcare, and other sectors before taking that step.
Greenland is also seen as a rich, untouched source of mineral resources, making it an attractive target for external powers, including the US. Trump first expressed interest in buying the island from Denmark in 2019, during his first term as president, and has since reiterated his desire to acquire the territory. However, both the Greenlandic and Danish governments have rejected Trump’s overtures. Nielsen has stated that Greenland must handle the US with caution and that the people of Greenland should stand together and speak with one voice.
