March 12, 2025 11:42 AM.
Greenland’s pro-business Demokraatit opposition party has won the parliamentary elections with 29.9 per cent of the vote. The election attracted international spotlight after US President Donald Trump proposed taking control of the territory.
It also raised concerns over its future security amid the U.S.-China-Russia competition for Arctic influence. All the dominant parties in Greenland, a Danish autonomous region rich in oil and gas, agree on the desire for independence from Denmark.
Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953 when the island achieved greater powers of self-governance. It gained more powers in terms of minerals, policing and courts of law in 2009. However, Denmark still controls security, defense, foreign and monetary policy. Greenland also benefits from Denmark’s European Union and NATO memberships.
Greenland holds elections every four years, with 31 seats in parliament at stake. With yesterday’s results, the previous two-party coalition of Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Siumut party is expected to lose their parliamentary majority.
The elections attracted international spotlight after US President Donald Trump proposed taking control of the territory. It also raised concerns over its future security amid the US-China-Russia competition for Arctic influence. All major political parties in this oil-and-gas-rich Danish autonomous region have a common goal: independence from Denmark.
The pro-business opposition Demokraatit party, which favors a slow approach to independence from Denmark, got 30.4% of the votes in the election with more than 90% of ballots counted.
The former ruling democratic socialist party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, sees independence as a long-term project that would require years of negotiations with Denmark and further economic development.
Its main rival, Naleraq, which campaigned for quicker severance from Denmark and a defense deal with the US, lagged behind in the polls. Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953, when the island received wider self-governing powers.
In 2009, it received more powers concerning minerals, policing, and courts of law. However, Denmark continues to oversee security and defense, as well as foreign and monetary policy. Despite such historical ties with Denmark, opinion polls show most Greenlanders favor independence and aren’t keen on becoming Americans despite Trump’s interest in taking control of the territory.
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