Greenland's Elections: Demokraatit Leads as 85% Oppose Trump's Acquisition, PM Egede Focuses on Independence

Greenland held its parliamentary elections on March 11, with the outcome drawing international attention due to U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic island. Approximately 40,500 voters participated in the election to choose 31 members for the Inatsisartut, Greenland's parliament. The elections were pivotal as they could set the stage for Greenland's path toward independence from Denmark, a topic that has gained momentum in recent years. The election results showed the opposition Demokraatit party leading with 30.4% of the vote, advocating for a more cautious approach to independence. The pro-independence Naleraq party, which pushes for a quicker separation from Denmark, received 23.7% of the votes. The ruling coalition, consisting of the Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut parties, which together seek a more gradual path to independence, garnered 36% of the votes, down from 66% in the 2021 elections. Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, emphasized the importance of strengthening economic foundations before pursuing independence. Trump's interest in Greenland has been a significant factor in the elections, with his statements and actions influencing the political discourse. His ambition to acquire Greenland, citing its strategic importance and the island's deposits of oil, gas, gold, uranium, and zinc, has been met with widespread rejection from Greenlandic politicians and the public. A January poll indicated that 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S., and the presence of the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland adds to the geopolitical tension surrounding the island's future.