Greenland elections: Who could become prime minister and what have they said about Trump’s threats?
Greenlanders are going to the polls for a crucial general election on Tuesday, with a push for independence a key issue after US President Donald Trump repeated his threat to take over the island.
The Inatsisartut parliament consists of 31 MPs to be chosen from six political parties – two of which are in the governing coalition, Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Simiut parties. The leader of the party that wins the most seats in parliament in the March 11 vote becomes prime minister – currently Mute Egede of the left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party. The results are expected to be announced between 1am and 3am GMT on Wednesday.
A January poll suggested the Inuit Ataqatigiit could gain 31 percent, 9 percent ahead of the Siumut party.
The island became a formal territory of Denmark in 1953 and is subject to the Danish constitution. In 2009, the island was granted broad self-governing autonomy, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.
Siumut has boosted its appeal by promising an independence referendum after the election. Naleraq, the largest opposition party, has also sought to gain support with its pro-independence stance allied to a willingness to collaborate with the United States.
In 2019 then-president Trump said he wished to to gain control of the mineral-rich Arctic territory sparking a diplomat spat with Denmark with a first offer to buy Greenland.
At that time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen rejected the idea, saying: “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously.” Shortly after, President Trump cancelled a planned trip to Copenhagen.
Having mentioned Greenland a number of times since returning to the White House in January, Mr Trump addressed the US Congress last week and doubled down. “We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other we’re gonna get it,” he said, prompting applause and laughter from a number of politicians, including Vice President JD Vance.
Hours after President Trump made his latest overtures, Greenland’s Prime Minister Egede posted “Greenland is ours.” on Facebook.
Here, The Independent looks at the leaders of the six political parties involved.
Mute Egede is the current prime minister of Greenland as leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party. He became the youngest leader of Greenland in 2021 when he was elected.
Egede has been critical of Trump, saying he is “unpredictable” and is not treating Greenlanders with respect.
“It is a fateful choice we have,” he told Danish broadcaster DR on Monday. “The things that are happening in the world right now worry me quite a lot. That there is a world order that is faltering on many fronts, and perhaps a president in the United States who is very unpredictable in a way that makes people feel insecure.”
“We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don’t think the American president has done that lately since he took office.”
