20 minutes agoGreenland opposes Trump's intentions to take over the island
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)The long-awaited parliamentary elections in Greenland on 11 March brought a surprising winner and two clear messages: opposing American President Donald Trump's intentions to take over the Arctic territory and signal that independence from Denmark can happen but not soon. The opposition Democratic Party, a liberal probusiness party, came out [...]
The opposition Democratic Party, a liberal probusiness party, came first with nearly 30 per cent of the votes won, leaving behind the pro-independence party, the Point of Direction, which received 24 per cent, reports Radio Free Europe.
Suddenly, the incumbent prime minister's ruling coalition, Muite Egede, the People's Community Party, and the Prior Party, which want the country's independence but at a slower pace than the Point of Directions, ended in three and four, respectively.
These two parties are unlikely to continue ruling the country, following these results.
Likely Greenland's new prime minister will be Democratic Party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who has been one of the most vocal critics of Trump in Greenland, as the American president has expressed his desire to take over the largest island in the world, broadcast Periscope.
Since returning to the White House, the US president has expressed his intentions to take over the rich and strategic island by promoting concerns, especially in NATO member Denmark.
A Slow Break from Copenhagen
The Democratic Party was hesitant in the past to undermine relations with Copenhagen, which still controls Greenland's foreign and monetary policy.
In recent years, however, it has changed its stance, praising independence from Denmark as a long-term goal, with the aim of making the island economically independent.
For now, nearly half the population works in the public sector, which is financed mainly by Denmark.
To achieve this, Nielsen hopes to change political decisions that limit oil and gas research and prohibit the extraction of uranium in Greenland.
However, this also complicates talks on the ruling coalition.
Its most likely ruling partner, the People's Community Party, is strongly promoting environmental preservation and rejects such actions with persistence.
Still, with a close majority in Parliament with 31 seats, these two parties are expected to agree to keep Washington away and maintain close relations with Denmark at least for the time being.
