Outside of Godthåbhallen in Nuuk, there was a long queue already when the doors to the polling station opened. Along the way up to the hall stands the six political parties and distributes election campaign material. Most popular is undoubtedly the orange sunglasses from Naleraq, the party that has made its strongest in the question of independence. Nini Fieldman is a first -time voter and will not have to go to Denmark to take an education Photo: Peter Keldorff / news But it is not only independence Greenlandic voters are concerned about when they cross the ballot on Tuesday. – The most important thing is that we get some more education in place here in Greenland. We cannot travel to Denmark to educate ourselves, says first -time selector Nini Fieldman. Fears the United States will affect the days up to the election has largely been characterized by Donald Trump’s desire to take over Greenland. He also promised billion investments in workplaces – whether Greenland became American. The voters have flocked to the polling station, with queue already when it opened. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news The statements have created some fear in the Greenlandic population. Because although many believe that independence should be a goal, there are not many we meet who believe the United States is a real alternative to today’s solution with Denmark. In a poll from January, for example, Greenlanders were asked whether they thought Greenland should become part of the United States. As many as 85 percent answered no, while only 6 percent answered yes. Parties in Greenland Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news Inuit Ataqatigiit (the community). The party that today has the governor, Múte Bourup Egede. Socialist party that is absolutely supporter of Greenland’s independence. Was clear winner of the election in 2021 with 37 percent. Siumut (Fremad) .social Democratic Party (Labor Party), which became the second largest in 2021 with 30 percent of the vote. Founded in the 70s by people who wanted detachment from Denmark. They still want that. Naleraq (bearing). A center party originally formed by Siumut outbreaks and that party with the strongest standpoint for independence. Got 12.2 percent in 2021. Hope for significantly more now. Democrats. Social -liberal party (such as left in Norway is). Has previously been clear that Greenland is best in national communities with Denmark, but has now joined more of the independence movement. Ended just over 9 percent in 2021. Atassut (context). Conservative par (right -hand side) which ended at 7 per cent in 2021. They believe Greenland is best in the national community with Denmark, but does not exclude independence sometime in the future. Qulq (light). Have no defined ideology and were registered shortly before the election. The party is formed by Naleraq and Siumut. Clear for detachment and clear for Greenland to start looking for oil. Before the polling stations, news opened with Malene Abelsen from Nuuk. – Do you fear the American influence on the election? – Yes, I do. I think it is very worrying what Trump reports at the moment. I get more and more worried about each passing day. Tension around the independence party Independence has been a theme in Greenland for many decades, without neither changing Danish governments nor the world have otherwise cared. Fisheries are now the largest export income for Greenland, and account for about 90 per cent of the revenues – if you disregard Denmark’s subsidy. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news But in recent years, several cases have contributed to the question being highly actualized. Not least, the Spiral Sandal, which became known in 2022. You can read about it here: If the clearest independence parties win in Tuesday’s elections, it can quickly mean that the process of becoming independent starts faster than Greenland may be ready for. Political analyst in Greenland, Henrik Spydsbjerg, thinks it is realistic to think maybe twenty years ahead. Henrik Spydsbjerg believes independence in Greenland can take at least 20 years. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news – The question is whether you can find some models within then which means that you can still become more independent along the way in the work towards full independence. Possibly you have to wait until you have an economy that is connected, he told news a few days before the election. For just the economy can be the really big challenge for Greenland if they want to become independent. The difficult grant annually transfers Denmark an amount equivalent to approximately NOK 6.5 billion to Greenland. It is about half the income base for the country. They are thus very dependent on this help. Without the transfers, the hole must be filled in a different way. This can probably be done with income from the extraction of natural resources. Both minerals, oil and gas are below ground. Greenland has enough spectacular nature to have success with tourism. Photo: Joakim Reigstad / news It can also help more tourism. This succeeded Iceland when they needed healthy money after the financial crisis 15 years ago. A new tourism law in Greenland will, among other things, ensure that the revenues from there do not end up on foreign hands. Another, and perhaps more important question, is what Greenland wants to do with defense and security policy. Although many believe Denmark does not do enough to build a defense in Greenland, they are through the national community members of NATO. Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede also cast his vote in Godthåbhallen this morning. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka / AP / NTB If anyone threatens Greenland, NATO countries are obliged to line up. At least as long as they are part of the national community with Denmark. But right now, most of the Greenlanders feel that the threat comes from an ally – the United States. Published 11.03.2025, at. 21.42 Updated 11.03.2025, at. 21.48
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