The centre-right Democrats, who support business and Greenland’s independence – but only gradually, once the Danish autonomous territory is more developed politically and economically – defeated the ruling left coalition in Greenland’s elections, while the pro-US Naleraq party, which advocates quick independence, had its best result yet in Tuesday’s, the 11th of March vote, according to Politico and Reuters.
With all votes counted, Demokraatit won 29.9% of the vote, compared to 9.1% in 2021, and was ahead of the centrist Naleraq party, which won 24.5% of the vote, doubling its 2021 tally.
The ruling leftist Inuit party Ataqatigiit and its centre-left partner Siumut, which is also trying to move slowly towards independence, came third and fourth respectively, with a combined 36% of the vote, compared to 66.1% in 2021.
No party won an absolute majority.
Greenlanders went to the polls in the wake of Trump’s repeated threats to seize the territory, which raised geopolitical tensions and put the island and its small population of around 57 000 in the spotlight. Trump’s remarks triggered a debate on the future of Greenland, including whether it should remain part of Denmark, seek full independence or reach an agreement with the US.
Voters turned out on Tuesday and, according to local media, the turnout was significantly higher compared to 2021.
Democrat Party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen has said Greenland is not for sale and rejected US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring it, calling the aggressive pursuit “a threat to our political independence”.
“People want change… We want more business to finance our prosperity,” said Jens Frederik Nielsen, former Minister of Industry and Minerals.
“We don’t want independence tomorrow, we want [to build] a good foundation,” Nielsen told reporters in Nuuk, adding that he would now hold talks with other parties to try to form a governing coalition.
“We respect the outcome of the election,” Mute Egede, prime minister of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, said on Facebook, adding that he would listen to all proposals in the upcoming coalition talks.
Greenland is a former Danish colony and has been a Danish territory since 1953. It gained some autonomy in 1979 when its first parliament was established, but Copenhagen still controls foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy and provides the economy with just under one billion dollars a year.
In 2009, it won the right to declare full independence in a referendum, although it has not done so, amid fears that living standards could fall without Danish economic support.
The election results, which gave a major boost to the Naleraq party, which is passionate about independence and cooperation with the US, even if the more cautious Democrats came first, show that Greenlanders are divided on the best way forward.