Denmark Trump's dream island of Greenland before change of government
The island of Greenland, which is being courted by US President Donald Trump, is facing a change of government. Two opposition parties became the new strongest forces in the Greenlandic parliament Initsisartut in the parliamentary elections on the world's largest island. Both parties have different ideas on how to proceed towards possible independence from the Kingdom of Denmark.
12.03.2025, 07:51
SDA
The social-liberal Demokraatit (Democrats) achieved 29.9 percent after a preliminary count of all votes. Naleraq, which insists on a quick separation from Denmark, achieved 24.5 percent. The KNR radio station proclaimed Demokraatit the winner of the election early in the morning. Just over 40,000 Greenlanders were allowed to cast their votes.
It will now fall to the 33-year-old Demokraatit leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen to try his hand at forming the next Greenlandic government. He announced during the night that he would reach out to all other parties - including Naleraq. This party is viewed critically by large parts of the political spectrum. It includes some of the few politicians who have spoken positively about Trump's desires in the meantime.
"We will of course talk to them, just like we do with everyone else," said Nielsen on election night, according to Danish broadcaster DR. "They are the second largest party, so we can't avoid them." At the same time, he spoke out in favor of a "calm course" towards the USA and that "a foundation" must first be laid before we can talk about founding a state. Naleraq leader Pele Broberg also did not want to rule out cooperation between the two parties.
Trump debate shapes election
The parliamentary election was strongly influenced by Trump's claims of ownership. In recent months, he had repeatedly stated that he wanted to take control of the world's largest island. He justifies this demand either on the grounds of national or international security.
Most recently, Trump interfered in the hot phase of the election campaign by promising Greenlanders new jobs and wealth via his Truth Social platform. In the post shortly before the election, he once again invited the island's almost 57,000 inhabitants to become "part of the greatest nation in the world" if they wanted to.
However, it is not as easy as Trump imagines. Unlike in the case of Alaska in 1867, for example, the USA cannot simply buy territory from other states these days. According to a survey, a clear majority of Greenlanders are also against becoming part of the USA. Against this backdrop, it is completely unrealistic at this stage that the next Greenlandic government will comply with Trump's wishes in any way.
Heavy losses for governing parties
In the course of the Trump debate, head of government Múte B. Egede has become the international face of Greenland. He had repeatedly made it clear that Greenland was not for sale, but was definitely interested in closer economic cooperation with the USA, for example in the extraction of the immense raw material deposits on the island.
Egede had proven himself to be a level-headed leader who strived for unity - something that the voters obviously did not want to reward sufficiently with their votes. His left-wing party Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and its social democratic coalition partner Siumut each lost around 15 percentage points, leaving them with 21.4 and 14.7 percent respectively.
"We respect the outcome of the election," wrote Egede on Facebook. "Now the work begins in the new election period. And we are eager to hear what the parties will offer for the negotiations - we are ready."
The big question of independence
When it comes to forming a government, it will be particularly interesting to see how the parties involved deal with the issue of independence and the future of the tense relationship with Denmark. The majority of the six parties running in the election campaign agreed in principle that Greenland should one day become independent from its former colonial power Denmark.
However, they disagree on when the right time might be: While Naleraq is in favor of a quick secession of the island from Denmark, Demokraatit, like other parties, would like to proceed much more slowly. In their election manifesto, the Democrats make it clear that independence is "the goal" - but also that the right conditions need to be created first.
The main sticking point here is Greenland's continued heavy financial dependence on Copenhagen. "We need to improve our economy by around five billion kroner (670 million euros) per year if we want to achieve political independence while maintaining the current level of prosperity," the Demokraatit election program states. One way of achieving this - as demonstrated not least by Egede's statements - could be stronger economic cooperation with the USA.
