NUUK, Greenland — The center-right Demokraatit Party emerged victorious in Greenland’s parliamentary elections, surprising many as the territory went to the polls in the shadow of President Donald Trump’s ambitious goal of gaining control over the island.
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Both Demokraatit—the Democrats—and the second place party, Naleraq—“Point of Orientation”—support independence from Denmark but differ on the pace of change.
Demokraatit’s unexpected victory over long-time ruling parties signals the importance many Greenlanders place on healthcare, education, cultural heritage, and other social policies.
The surprising results followed a high turnout at the polling station in the capital, Nuuk, with voting officials extending the polls beyond the planned closing time to accommodate everyone in line.
In February, Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede called for early elections, emphasizing the need for unity during a “serious time” unlike anything Greenland has faced before.
Trump has been vocal about his interest in controlling Greenland, stating last week that he believed the U.S. would acquire it “one way or the other.”
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Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, holds a strategic position in the North Atlantic and boasts abundant deposits of rare earth minerals essential for mobile phones and renewable energy technology.
Egede’s Inuit Ataqatigi (United Inuit) was initially favored to win, along with Siumut, the two parties that had dominated Greenland’s politics in recent years.
Although independence from Denmark was not on the ballot, the topic was at the forefront of everyone’s mind; the island with its 56,000 inhabitants has pursued independence since at least 2009, and the newly elected lawmakers will play a crucial role in shaping the island’s future, including the potential declaration of independence.
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Out of the five main parties in the race, four support independence, albeit with varying degrees of urgency.
Naleraq takes the most aggressive stance on independence, while Demokraatit advocates for a moderate approach.
“The ultimate path to independence will depend on whether Demokraatit forms a coalition government and, if so, with which party,” Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative, stated.
Source: https://time.com/7267067/demokraatit-democrats-party-greenland-elections-trump-denmark/
