Greenlanders are going to the surveys for an essential basic election on Tuesday, with a push for self-reliance an essential concern after United States President Donald Trump duplicated his risk to take control of the island.
The Inatsisartut parliament includes 31 MPs to be selected from 6 political celebrations– 2 of which remain in the governing union, Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Simiut celebrations. The leader of the celebration that wins the most seats in parliament in the March 11 vote ends up being prime minister – presently Mute Egede of the left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit celebration. The outcomes are anticipated to be revealed in between 1am and 3am GMT on Wednesday.
A January poll recommended the Inuit Ataqatigiit might acquire 31 percent, 9 percent ahead of the Siumut celebration.
The island ended up being an official area of Denmark in 1953 and undergoes the Danish constitution. In 2009, the island was approved broad independent autonomy, consisting of the right to state self-reliance from Denmark through a referendum.
Siumut has actually enhanced its appeal by assuring a self-reliance referendum after the election. Naleraq, the biggest opposition celebration, has actually likewise looked for to acquire assistance with its pro-independence position allied to a desire to work together with the United States.
In 2019 then-president Trump stated he wanted to to acquire control of the mineral-rich Arctic area stimulating a diplomat spat with Denmark with a very first deal to purchase Greenland.
At that time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen turned down the concept, stating: “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland comes from Greenland. I highly hope that this is not suggested seriously.” Soon after, President Trump cancelled a prepared journey to Copenhagen.
Having actually discussed Greenland a variety of times given that going back to the White Home in January, Mr Trump resolved the United States Congress recently and doubled down. “We require Greenland for nationwide security. One method or the other we’re gon na get it,” he stated, triggering applause and laughter from a variety of political leaders, consisting of Vice President JD Vance.
Hours after President Trump made his newest overtures, Greenland’s Prime Minister Egede published “Greenland is ours.” on Facebook.
Here, The Independent takes a look at the leaders of the 6 political celebrations included.
Silence Egede
Mute Egede is the present prime minister of Greenland as leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit celebration. He ended up being the youngest leader of Greenland in 2021 when he was chosen.
Egede has actually been crucial of Trump, stating he is “unforeseeable” and is not dealing with Greenlanders with regard.
” It is an eventful option we have,” he informed Danish broadcaster DR on Monday. “The important things that are occurring on the planet today fret me rather a lot. That there is a world order that is failing on numerous fronts, and possibly a president in the United States who is really unforeseeable in such a way that makes individuals feel insecure.”
” We should have to be treated with regard, and I do not believe the American president has actually done that recently given that he took workplace.”
The prime minister likewise required self-reliance from Denmark in a New Year’s address.
” It is now time to take the next action for our nation,” Egede stated, including that Greenland needs to eliminate “the shackles of the colonial period”.
The celebration is likewise prioritising well-being, a more powerful economy with more tasks, much better health and education and sustainable advancement this election, according to its site.
Erik Jensen
Pro-independence Erik Jensen is presently leading the social-democratic Siumut celebration, a partner in Greenland’s present union federal government.
Jensen is minister for financing and tax for Greenland. Siumut prepares to conjure up a short article in a 2009 law that approved Greenland increased autonomy, consisting of the right to work out complete self-reliance.
Jensen informed Danish broadcaster DR he anticipated the vote on self-reliance would take place “within the next election duration”, however did not offer any additional information.
” It (a self-reliance choice) need to be on a notified basis, so that the population is not in doubt about the repercussions. We have a well-being society that need to work. We have some financial elements that we likewise require to take a look at,” he included.
Pele Broberg
Pele Broberg is the present leader of Greenland’s the majority of outspoken pro-independence celebration, Naleraq.
Indicating Brexit and Greenland’s EU departure, Broberg stated Greenland might be “out of the Danish kingdom in 3 years”.
” Individuals who colonised the nation are not expected to be enabled to choose whether they wish to continue (colonising),” Broberg likewise informed the Danish day-to-day Berlingske.
Broberg previously functioned as foreign minister however was benched after he recommended that just ethnic Inuit individuals and their descendents might be qualified to enact a future referendum. He later on stated his remarks to Berlingske were misinterpreted.
Jens Frederik Nielsen
Jens Frederik Nielsen leads the centre-right Demokraatit celebration and is called Greenland’s badminton champ.
In reaction to a current costs prohibiting foreign contributions to political celebrations, Mr Nielsen stated Trump’s remarks are “a danger to our political self-reliance”.
” We need to protect ourselves,” he included. “I hope it sends out a clear message to him that we are not for sale,” Mr Nielsen informed Sky news, describing Donald Trump’s remarks.
” We do not wish to be Americans. No, we do not wish to be Danes. We wish to be Greenlanders. And we desire our own self-reliance in the future. And we wish to develop our own nation by ourselves, not with his hope.”
Nielsen signed a signed a political cooperation arrangement with Denmark’s Liberal Alliance in January, Danish day-to-day Berlingske reported. Nielsen stated “We remain in the middle of an amazing and vital time in the relationship in between Greenland and Denmark”, according to Berlingske.
Aqqalu Jerimiassen
Aqqalu Jerimiassen heads the liberal and unionist Atassut celebration and was previously minister of service and energy.
He specialised as a service financial expert in tourist and has actually been a co-owner of traveler business Ilulissat Water Safari. He has actually been re-elected in several community elections and was a deputy mayor for a brief duration.
Jerimiassen has actually likewise opposed Trump’s remarks about his nation.
“We must preserve excellent relations with the United States, however Greenland ought to not enter into the United States, either now or in the future,” he stated, according to China Daily.
Karl IngemannKarl Ingemann leads a brand-new self-reliance celebration, Qulleq, which was formed in 2023 by previous members of Siumut and Naleraq.
Ingemann thinks Greenland’s resources have actually been mishandled, according to Danish news company Ritzau.
He originates from the town of Maniitsoq on a Western Greenlandic island.