The pro-independence, center-right Demokraatit (Democrat) party won a surprise victory in Greenland’s elections on Tuesday, raising questions about what it means for the future of the Danish territory.
Current Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede of the left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party called the elections in February, clearly expecting voters to rally around him. He had cited “serious times” as a motivator, no doubt a nod to President Donald Trump’s aspirations of taking over Greenland.
SEE: Trump’s Call to Denmark’s Prime Minister Left Her Like a James Bond Martini
Some influencers on social media rushed to proclaim this a victory for the White House, suggesting that American plans to absorb the territory had come to fruition. Several, who I won’t name and shame here, even claimed the “pro-USA party” had come out victorious. But while that’s good for clicks, we should probably ask whether that’s true, so I did a bit of research.
For starters, it should be noted that all but one political party in Greenland favors independence, including the current ruling socialist party. That is not the differentiating factor it may seem to be when you just read the headlines that a “pro-independence” party won. The Democrats are actually more cautious about the matter than others, favoring becoming part of the Eurozone, not the United States. Further, the party’s leaders have directly criticized Trump’s approach to Greenland.
So, to say that the “pro-USA party” won or that this shows significant movement toward Greenland becoming part of America just isn’t true. That’s not to say things couldn’t get interesting, though. The second-largest vote winner was the Naleraq party, which is warm to the United States. That will leave the Democrats having to decide which other parties to form a government with because Greenland has a parliamentary system.
If they join forces with the Naleraq, which is a more right-wing party, to create a majority, then you could conceivably see some headway in terms of US interests. If they go the other way, then it’s likely that opposition to American intervention only hardens. What I don’t want to do is mislead, so it should be pointed out that a majority of Greenlanders voted for parties that see Europe as the primary partner.
What I think needs to be made clear, though, is that no matter what happens, there is no evidence of a groundswell of support for Greenland to become part of the United States. If some on the right are holding out for a referendum that leads there, they will probably be waiting a while. Perhaps certain defense and economic deals beneficial to America could be produced, but Greenlanders appear to actually want independence, and not just from Denmark.
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