Greenland Prepares for Elections Amid Trump’s Interest in the Territory

On Tuesday, residents of Greenland will cast their votes in an election that, while often overlooked in the past, may have significant implications for the territory’s future. –

The persistent interest of US President Donald Trump in acquiring Greenland has placed it in the global spotlight, reigniting discussions about its future relationship with Denmark.

“Never before has Greenland received this much attention,” states Nauja Bianco, a policy expert on Arctic affairs with Danish-Greenlandic background.

Under Danish rule for nearly 300 years, Greenland oversees its local governance but relies on Copenhagen for foreign and defense policy decisions, despite being located approximately 1,860 miles away.

Currently, five out of six political parties on the ballot advocate for Greenland’s independence from Denmark, differing mainly on the timeline for achieving it.

Masaana Egede, editor of the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, comments that Trump’s involvement has significantly amplified the independence debate.

The territory’s strategic geographical position and its untapped mineral wealth have attracted attention from President Trump, who first suggested the purchase of Greenland in 2019 during his initial term.

Since resuming office in January, he has persistently expressed a desire for the US to acquire the territory, despite Greenland and Denmark’s leaders rejecting his entreaties multiple times.

Nevertheless, Trump reinforced his position in an address to the US Congress last week, insisting, “We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other, we’re going to secure it,” which prompted applause and laughter from several attendees, including Vice President JD Vance.

In Nuuk, Trump’s remarks have resonated with politicians, who have quickly criticized them. “We deserve to be treated with respect and I believe the American president has not upheld that since he assumed office,” stated Prime Minister Mute Egede.

Nonetheless, US interest has intensified calls for Greenland to break free from Denmark, with debates increasingly focused on the timing of independence rather than the principle itself.

Nauja Bianco emphasizes that the aim of independence is not a recent development; it has been in the works for decades.

Inuit communities have expressed growing dissatisfaction with Denmark, especially following revelations of historical mistreatment. Earlier this year, PM Egede proclaimed that Greenland must liberate itself from “the shackles of colonialism.”

Yet, this is the first time that independence has taken a primary role in an election campaign.

Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, supports a gradual approach to attaining autonomy. “Citizens must feel secure,” he has stated to local media.

Arctic analyst Martin Breum believes Egede’s stance in response to Trump’s provocations and his firm remarks about Denmark’s colonial past will garner him significant support.

Meanwhile, smaller parties could capitalize on the current environment, potentially altering existing political alliances.

The opposition party Naleraq aims for immediate separation from Copenhagen, advocating for closer defense ties with Washington.

Citing Greenland’s shift away from the EU and Brexit, party leader Pele Broberg suggested that Greenland could “be out of the Danish kingdom in three years.”

Naleraq is entering the elections with the largest candidate slate and is gaining traction by tapping into the public’s dissatisfaction with Denmark.

“Naleraq is likely to play a more substantial role in parliament,” predicts Breum, noting that candidates from the party have performed strongly in media appearances.

However, the centre-right Demokraatit party argues that it is premature to push for independence.

“The economy must become much more robust than it currently is,” said party candidate Justus Hansen in an interview with Reuters.

Currently, Greenland’s economy is heavily reliant on fishing, while government funding largely depends on annual subsidies from Denmark.

The discourse surrounding Trump and independence has overshadowed other critical voter concerns, according to newspaper editor Masaana Egede.

“This election should focus on healthcare, elder care, and social issues. Instead, the conversation is predominantly about independence.”

Recent polls suggest that nearly 80% of Greenlandic residents support movements toward future statehood.

Approximately 44,000 citizens are eligible to vote, and due to the low turnout and limited polling, predicting the outcome is challenging.

While a majority express support for independence, a survey indicates that half would be less enthusiastic if it jeopardized their standard of living.

Moreover, 85% of Greenlanders are opposed to becoming part of the US, and nearly half regard Trump’s interest as a threat.

Some Greenlanders, as noted by Masaana Egede, are concerned about how long the island could remain independent and fear it could simply exchange one dominating country for another.

Experts indicate this concern may influence voters to prefer the current arrangement over independence.

Although the right to self-determination is established by the 2009 Self-Rule Act, several hurdles remain before Greenland can fully separate from Denmark, including the necessity of a referendum.

Achieving full independence, according to Kaj Kleist, a seasoned Greenlandic politician and civil servant involved in crafting the Self-Rule Act, may require “about 10 to 15 years” due to extensive preparation and negotiations with the Danish government.

Regardless of the election outcome, experts do not foresee Greenland attaining independence before the conclusion of Trump’s current term in 2028.

Election results are expected to be available in the early hours of Wednesday.