Greenland’s upcoming parliamentary election is poised to be a significant event, not necessarily due to internal shifts, but for the message it conveys.
While independence from Denmark isn’t directly on the ballot, the election’s outcome will indicate the country’s future path, both in terms of separating from Denmark and addressing concerns about potential “threats” from .
Historically, parliamentary elections in Greenland, a nation of under 60,000 people, have received limited global attention due to their perceived minor impact on international affairs.
However, this changed when Trump, before his inauguration, entertained the possibility of “acquiring” Greenland through economic or military means, reiterating his interest in the strategically important island.
While most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark, they generally agree on the nation’s .
No candidate in this election cycle advocates for Greenland becoming part of the U.S. However, Naleraq, the leading opposition party with five of the 31 parliamentary seats, might offer a solution that achieves independence while appealing to Trump’s interests.
Qupanuk Olsen, a 39-year-old Naleraq candidate with a large social media following of over a million across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, addressed her views on the matter in a video in January.
While avoiding a direct stance on Trump’s ambitions to maintain her social media’s “A-political” nature, she emphasized her support for expanding Greenland’s partnerships.
“I strongly believe in Greenland’s independence,” she stated, adding, “To achieve this we must expand our collaborations and establish business relationships with countries beyond Denmark.
“We Greenlanders, Kalaallit, deserve to be independent,” she continued, referring to the Greenlandic Inuit ethnic group. “And I hope we will strengthen our connections with our fellow Inuit in Canada and Alaska significantly more in the near future.”
Despite Greenland gaining self-rule in 1979, with Denmark overseeing defense and foreign policy, Naleraq advocates for a rapid transition to full independence.
The opposition party suggests achieving this by strengthening existing industries like fishing and forging with nations like the U.S., allowing Washington to continue its military operations on the island in exchange for security guarantees without becoming a U.S. territory.
It’s uncertain if such an agreement would satisfy Trump, who might see Greenland as an opportunity for its untapped rare earth minerals, oil, and gas reserves – which Greenland has restricted access to, even for the EU.
The White House didn’t respond to Digital’s inquiries about whether closer ties with Greenland would appease Trump’s ambitions. However, Trump reiterated his stance on the island nation on Sunday.
“As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland’s right to determine their own future,” he stated on Truth Social. “We will continue to keep you safe, as we have since World War II.”
“We are ready to invest billions of dollars to create new jobs and make you rich – And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America,” he added.
Trump’s address to Congress, while softer in tone than previous remarks, still drew criticism, especially his concluding statement: “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
According to a , around 85% of Greenlanders oppose Trump’s efforts to make Greenland part of the U.S., including Prime Minister Mute Egede, a strong advocate for independence from Denmark and an opponent of Trump’s interest in Greenland.
Egede’s Inuit Ataqatigiit party, currently holding 11 seats, is expected to gain an in Tuesday’s election.
Egede, who has repeatedly told the U.S. president that Greenland is “not for sale,” stated on Monday that Trump’s unpredictability is causing international instability.
“The things that are happening in the world right now worry me quite a lot,” Egede told Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR). “There is a world order that is faltering on many fronts, and perhaps a president in the United States who is very unpredictable in a way that makes people feel insecure.”
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