International news via Reuters:

Greenland residents vote on Tuesday in a closely watched election brought into the international spotlight by a pledge from U.S. President Donald Trump to take control of the mineral-rich island.

Since taking office in January, Trump has vowed to make Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the United States, saying it is vital to U.S. security interests.

The island, with a population of just 57,000, has been caught up in a geopolitical race for dominance in the Arctic, where melting ice caps are making its resources more accessible and opening new shipping routes.

Both Russia and China have intensified military activity in the region.

Greenland, a former colony and a Danish territory since 1953, is three times the size of Texas. It gained some autonomy in 1979 when its first parliament was formed, but Copenhagen controls foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy and provides just under $1 billion a year to the economy.

In 2009, it won the right to declare full independence through a referendum, though has not done so on concern living standards would drop without Denmark’s economic support.

INUIT PRIDE

However, Trump’s interest has shaken up the status quo and coupled with the growing pride of the indigenous people in their Inuit culture, put independence front and centre in the election.

“The question of independence was put on steroids by Trump,” said Masaana Egede, editor of local newspaper Sermitsiaq. “It has put a lid on everyday issues.”

In the final debate on Greenland’s state broadcaster KNR late on Monday, leaders of the five parties currently in parliament unanimously said they did not trust Trump.

“We don’t trust Donald Trump at all. He is trying to influence us. I can understand if citizens feel insecure,” said Erik Jensen, leader of government coalition partner Siumut.

Polling stations open at 1100 GMT and close at 2200 GMT. The final result is expected on Wednesday between 0100 GMT and 0300 GMT. No polls or exit polls are expected.

A January poll suggested a majority of Greenland’s inhabitants support independence, but are divided over the timing and potential impact on living standards.

Reuters spoke to more than a dozen Greenlanders in the capital Nuuk, all of whom said they favoured independence, although many expressed concern that a swift transition could damage the economy and eliminate Nordic welfare services like universal healthcare and free schooling.

The island holds substantial natural resources, including critical minerals such as rare earths used in high-tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.

However, Greenland has been slow to extract them due to environmental concerns, severe weather, and China’s near-total control of the sector, which has made it difficult for companies elsewhere to make a profit or secure buyers.

INVESTMENT PLEDGES

Trump initially declined to rule out military force, alarming many Greenlanders, although he later softened his stance, stating he would respect the will of the local people and was “ready to invest billions of dollars” if they joined the U.S.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has stressed the island is not for sale and advocated for a broad coalition government to resist external pressure. In an interview aired on Monday by Danish broadcaster DR, he dismissed Trump’s offer as disrespectful, expressing willingness to cooperate with other countries instead.

All six main parties, including the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit and government coalition partner Siumut, support independence but differ on how and when it could be achieved.

The pro-independence Naleraq party, the leading opposition force, has gained momentum ahead of the election, bolstered by U.S. interest and fresh accusations of Denmark’s historic exploitation of Greenland’s mineral wealth.

    “This is our independence election,” said Qunanuk Olsen, a Naleraq candidate.

The party believes U.S. interest strengthens Greenland’s position in secession talks with Denmark and aims to bring a deal with Copenhagen to a vote before the next election in four years.

According to Egede, the editor, the party could increase its current five seats, but is unlikely to secure a majority in parliament.

Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; additional reporting by Louise Rasmussen; Editing by Sharon Singleton

International news via Reuters:

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, will hold a parliamentary election on March 11 with independence a key campaign theme after U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants control over the world’s biggest island. 

Greenland became a formal territory of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953, with Copenhagen controlling foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy. It has had the right to hold a referendum on independence since 2009 and some locals see the election as a chance to secede. 

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Polls show that a majority of Greenlanders favour political and economic independence from its former colonial ruler. However, views differ on the timing and the potential impact on living standards, with Denmark contributing just under $1 billion annually to the local economy. 

The island has a rich but largely untapped supply of resources, including ample rare earth minerals.

Trump sees Greenland’s strategic location as the shortest route from Europe to North America as vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.

WHAT WILL ELECTION DAY LOOK LIKE?

Polls will open on March 11 at 1100 GMT and close at 2200 GMT. There will be no exit polls, and the result is expected on March 12 between 0100 GMT and 0300 GMT.     

WHO CAN VOTE?

Out of Greenland’s 57,000 citizens, around 40,500 are eligible to vote, according to Greenland’s Domestic Affairs Ministry. Around 27,000 people voted in the last general election in 2021.

There are 31 seats in Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, and 16 seats are needed for a majority.

WHAT PARTIES ARE RUNNING?

Inuit Ataqatigiit

Greenland’s ruling party, the left-leaning socialist Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, advocates for an economically and politically independent Greenland, but has not yet proposed a plan to achieve this.

IA opposes mining for uranium and other radioactive materials due to risks to the environment. 

The party currently holds 11 seats in Greenland’s parliament and is represented in Denmark’s parliament by Aaja Chemnitz, who holds one of Greenland’s two seats in the Danish Folketing.

IA has said it will not rush an independence vote through after the general election, cautioning about possible economic and welfare implications.

Siumut

Greenland’s largest party, the social democratic Siumut, led by Erik Jensen, supports a gradual succession from Denmark, suggesting a referendum in the coming four years.

The party proposes reducing the economic contribution of about $17,500 per inhabitant the island receives yearly from Denmark over the next 15 years as Greenland moves towards full independence.

Siumut currently holds 10 seats in Greenland’s parliament. 

Naleraq

Left-wing Naleraq, led by Pele Broberg, is the largest opposition party and strongly advocates for a swift transition to full independence.

Naleraq has said that becoming a sovereign state will spur new business opportunities for Greenland and wants to develop opportunities for industries such as fishing, which accounts for more than 95% of exports.

It has also said it wants to pursue a defence agreement with the U.S. and could choose a so-called “free association”, under which Greenland would receive U.S. support and protection in return for military rights, without becoming a U.S. territory. 

It could also consider such an option with Denmark, or another country.

Naleraq currently holds five seats in parliament.

Demokraatit

Social-liberal Demokraatit, led by Greenland’s Minister of Industry and Raw Minerals Jens-Frederik Nielsen, envisions an independent Greenland with a free market economy.

However, it cautions against premature action to safeguard the people and economy from a potential decline in living standards. 

Demokraatit currently holds three seats in parliament.

Atassut

The centre-right conservative party Atassut, led by Aqqalu Jerimiassen, advocates for unity with the Danish realm and opposes a transition to independence without a clear plan.

According to Atassut, Greenland is not yet ready for independence.

The party currently has two parliamentary representatives.

Qulleq

Newly-formed left-wing Qulleq, led by Karl Ingemann, advocates for rapid independence and wants full control of the island’s resources, which it says could alleviate social and economic suffering among Greenlanders.

($1 = 0.9208 euros)

Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Louise Ramussen; Editing by Sharon Singleton