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Contrary to what the wall-to-wall coverage of Greenlandic affairs in international media might lead one to believe, the election is about redefining ties with Copenhagen.
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
During Saturday’s final debate between party leaders in Nuuk, the US was barely mentioned. Denmark, however, was. EPA-EFE/Mads Claus Rasmussen
Languages: Français | Deutsch
Greenlanders head to the polls today, but while the world fixates on US interest in the Arctic island, voters are more concerned with relations with Copenhagen than geopolitical drama.
The 56,000 inhabitants of the autonomous island under the Danish realm, are certainly not used to journalists from the likes of New York Times, Deutsche Welle, Fox News, and Euractiv, roaming the streets of Nuuk.
That changed when Donald Trump Jr. made a surprise visit to the capital in January, followed by his father’s inflammatory remarks about acquiring the Inuit nation – even refusing to rule out applying military force to get it.
Greenlandic officials have time and time again turned down the American advances, with a January poll finding that virtually no Greenlander wants the country to become part of the US.
Indeed, contrary to what the wall-to-wall coverage of Greenlandic affairs in international media might lead one to believe, today’s election is not an independence referendum or Greenlandic accession to the US.
It is about redefining ties with Copenhagen. That was clear during Saturday’s final debate between party leaders in Nuuk, where the US was barely mentioned – but Denmark certainly was.
Dissatisfaction with Copenhagen
The election campaign has laid bare growing dissatisfaction with Denmark, deepened by a film controversy that hit a sensitive spot in Danish-Greenlandic relations. It reinforced the feeling that Greenland is the lesser partner in a supposed union of equals.
Denmark has reacted indignantly to Trump’s threats, but Greenland has been slipping from its grip for decades.
It all happened in February when Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR, aired Greenland’s White Gold – a documentary about a now-closed Danish cryolite mine.
It claimed that the mine exploitation generated around €54 billion for the company and the Danish state. For Greenlanders, the documentary was an opportunity for Danes to reflect on the resources extracted from their former colony.
However, after a series of statements by the documentary’s expert cast criticising the figure, DR ultimately withdrew the programme. A poll now found that 36% of Greenlanders said the documentary impacted how they intended to vote come election day.
Only one opinion poll has been conducted since Premier Múte B. Egede called elections in February, and it shows the left-leaning Community of the People party (IA) as the frontrunner.
The party is currently in a coalition government with social democratic Siumut, holding 21 of the 31 seats. Both parties support independence but insist it should happen gradually, as Greenland reduces its reliance on Denmark’s €500 million in annual aid.
In total, out of the six parties running, five want independence from Denmark but only at some point. Even the most ardent pro-independence ones, Naleraq and Demokraatit, advocate remaining in the Danish realm for now.
Legally, under the Danish 2009 act on Greenland’s self-rule, the country can declare independence from Copenhagen after a referendum on the island.
However, 85% of Greenlanders prioritise welfare, education, and health, according to a survey conducted by Verian for the local newspaper Sermitsiaq.
So, while Greenlanders are frustrated with Copenhagen, fixing social issues comes before separation.
As a Greenlandic journalist told Euractiv: “The strongest thing to do is to threaten to stay” as keeping Denmark uncertain about Greenland’s long-term intentions strengthens Greenland’s bargaining position.
Languages: Français | Deutsch
Updated: 11-03-2025
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