Greenland's centre-right opposition triumphs in election amid Trump’s Greenland pledge

Greenland’s centre-right opposition party, Demokraatit, emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections, which were dominated by US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of the strategically important Arctic island. Demokraatit, known for its pro-business stance and gradual approach to independence from Denmark, secured 29.9% of the vote, surpassing the opposition Naleraq party, which advocates for rapid independence and gained 24.5%.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Demokraatit's leader and former minister of industry and minerals, expressed the desire for change, emphasizing the need for more businesses to fund welfare. He also reiterated that the party does not aim for independence immediately but wants a solid foundation first. Nielsen will now negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition.

The governing Inuit Ataqatigiit party, along with its ally Siumut, also supports a slow path to independence, but their combined vote share decreased to 36% from 66.1% in 2021. The election saw high voter turnout, with voting extended past the 22:00 GMT deadline to accommodate the large number of participants across the 72 polling stations, with 40,500 eligible voters.

Since assuming office, Trump has made it clear that Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, is critical to US security interests. The island, with a population of 57,000, finds itself in the midst of a geopolitical struggle in the Arctic, as melting ice caps make its rich mineral resources more accessible and open new shipping routes.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede called for the election, citing the need for unity during a critical period for the territory. While Trump has made his intentions clear, Russia and China have also heightened military activity in the Arctic. Greenland, which became a Danish colony in 1721 and gained some autonomy in 1979, still relies on Copenhagen for foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy, with Denmark providing nearly $1 billion annually to the island’s economy.

Though Greenland has the right to declare full independence through a referendum, concerns over the economic impact and loss of welfare services, like universal healthcare and free education, have kept the territory from moving forward with this decision. Many residents, while supporting independence, fear a rapid transition could harm the economy and their social services.

Julie Rademacher, a former Greenland government advisor, noted that the election initially focused on anger toward Denmark’s colonial past, but fears of US imperialism have since gained prominence. Many Greenlanders, like Tuuta Lynge-Larsen, expressed opposition to becoming part of the US due to concerns about healthcare and Trump’s influence.