Greenland’s center-right Demokraatit party secured victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, unseating Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede and his party, Inuit Ataqatigiit.
The election centered on the issue of independence from Denmark as President Trump’s comments about U.S. control reignited the debate.
“People want change … We want more business to finance our welfare,” Demokraatit leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, according to Reuters. He added that Greenland does not “want independence tomorrow” and that any separation from Denmark should be built on a “good foundation.”
Four of the five main parties on the ballot, including the top two finishers, Demokraatit and Naleraq, support independence but disagree on the timeline. Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 people, remains a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, though Trump’s renewed interest in the island has fueled discussions about breaking away from the Danish crown.
Egede acknowledged his party’s defeat in a Facebook post, stating that he respects the election results and that negotiations between parties will now begin.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen congratulated Demokraatit and warned that Greenland’s future would face “massive pressure” from Trump, according to the Associated Press, which cited Danish Broadcasting Corporation DR. Poulsen reportedly emphasized that “the future of Greenland is based on what the Greenlandic people and government want.”
The Demokraatit Party saw a significant surge in support, winning nearly 30% of the vote compared to just 9% in 2021, according to the Associated Press, which cited Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation KNR TV.
