Greenland’s ruling Siumut party has announced plans to hold a vote on independence following the upcoming general election on March 11. The push for self-rule has gained urgency due to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring the strategically important island.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, was a colony until 1953, and gained full self-governing rights in 2009. Its main partner in its two-party coalition government is Siumut that is advocating for an article contained in the 2009 law to place Greenland as eligible for negotiations of full independence. The political spokesperson of the party, Doris Jensen, preferred independence as a condition for negotiating Greenland’s future.
“Until our country attains the status of an independent state, our opportunities to officially participate in negotiations will be limited,” she said.
Siumut leader Erik Jensen told Danish broadcaster DR that the vote on independence would take place “within the next election period” but did not specify a date. Greenland holds elections every four years.
All five parties in Greenland’s parliament have rejected the notion of merging with the United States. According to a new opinion poll, 85% of the population is against the idea, while nearly half sees Trump’s interest as a threat.
Greenland has a huge amount of unexploited mineral resources, but its economy still depends on fishing and financial support from Denmark. Jensen emphasized that any decision to become independent has to be very well-informed.
It must be on an informed basis, so that the population is not in doubt about the consequences. We have a welfare society that must function. We have some economic aspects that we also need to look at,” he said.
Siumut occupies 10 seats out of 31 seats in Greenland’s parliament. Naleraq, the country’s third-largest party, has also indicated its willingness to cut ties with Denmark now.
