Denmark Parliamentary election in Greenland begins
Overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's claims of ownership, a much-anticipated parliamentary election has begun on the ice island of Greenland.
11.03.2025, 13:30
SDA
The just over 40,000 Greenlanders eligible to vote have until 20:00 (23:00 CET) to cast their ballots. A provisional election result should be known in the course of Wednesday night.
213 candidates from six parties are hoping to win one of the 31 seats in the Inatsisartut parliament. Since the last election in 2021, the strongest force there has been the left-wing party Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) led by head of government Múte B. Egede. It first governed together with the pro-independence Naleraq party and then, since 2022, with the social democratic Siumut party. IA and Siumut are generally regarded as the strongest political forces on the world's largest island.
Trump statements fuel the independence debate
Election results on Greenland, with its small population of just under 57,000 islanders, are generally very difficult to predict. The most important question is how the next government will view possible independence from the Kingdom of Denmark, to which Greenland still belongs today despite its extensive autonomy. The independence debate has been simmering on the island for decades, but Trump's desires have recently fueled it.
The majority of the parties agree in principle that Greenland should one day become independent from its former colonial power Denmark, with which it has a strained relationship. However, they disagree on when the right time might be. The main sticking point here is the continued strong financial dependence on Copenhagen.
Trump has been courting Greenland for months. Most recently, he interfered in the hot phase of the election campaign by promising Greenlanders new jobs and wealth via his Truth Social platform. Egede accused Trump of disrespect. "We deserve to be treated with respect. And I don't think the American president has done that since he took office," he said in an interview published by Danish broadcaster DR on Monday.
Election campaign under the impression of Trump
In addition to the discussions about Trump and independence, the problems of the healthcare system, as well as the high cost of living and social, education and pension issues, also played a role in the election campaign.
Greenland, with its huge ice sheet, is of great importance for the global climate, military control of the Arctic and is also rich in raw materials such as rare earths. The region is also home to important shipping routes.
