NUUK, Greenland — In a surprising turn of events, the center-right Demokraatit Party secured the most votes in Greenland’s parliamentary elections. The elections took place against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s publicly stated ambition to gain control of the island by any means.
Both Demokraatit (the Democrats) and Naleraq (Point of Orientation), which came in second, advocate for Greenland’s independence from Denmark, but they hold different views on the speed of the transition.
Demokraatit’s unexpected victory over parties that have historically governed the territory suggests that many Greenlanders are equally concerned with issues like healthcare, education, cultural preservation, and other social policies.
“I believe this is a landmark result in Greenland’s political history,” said Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party.
Nielsen, 33, appeared taken aback by his party’s gains, with images showing him smiling broadly and applauding at the election celebration.
The Danish Broadcasting Corporation DR reported that Nielsen stated his party would engage with all other parties to negotiate Greenland’s future political direction.
“We did not anticipate this election outcome,” Nielsen told Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation KNR TV. “We are very pleased.”
Nielsen also commented that Greenland needs to unite “in a period of significant external interest,” according to KNR TV.
Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede had called for the early election in February, citing the need for national unity during a “serious time” unlike any Greenland has previously faced.
On Wednesday, following the announcement of the results, Egede expressed his gratitude to voters on Facebook for their participation and indicated that the parties were prepared to begin negotiations to form a government.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen congratulated the Demokraatit party and noted that the incoming Greenlandic government would likely have to “contend with substantial pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump,” as reported by DR.
He added that “it’s not possible to simply take a part of the Danish Realm—Greenland’s future depends on the wishes of the Greenlandic people and government,” DR stated.
Trump has openly expressed his desire to control Greenland, telling a joint session of Congress last week that he believed the U.S. would acquire it “one way or another.”
Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, occupies a strategic position on air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and possesses substantial reserves of rare earth minerals essential for manufacturing various products, including mobile phones and renewable energy technologies.
Egede’s Inuit Ataqatigiit (United Inuit) and Siumut, the two parties that have historically dominated Greenland’s politics, were widely expected to win.
While independence from Denmark was not explicitly on the ballot, it was a central concern. The island, with a population of 56,000, has been moving towards independence since at least 2009, and the 31 elected lawmakers will shape the island’s future as they consider whether the time is right to declare independence.
Four of the five main parties participating in the election supported independence, but they disagreed on the timing and approach.
Naleraq is the most ardent advocate for independence, while Demokraatit favors a more gradual transition.
“The approach to independence that ultimately prevails will depend on whether Demokraatit decides to form a coalition government, and if so, with which party,” stated Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative.