As Greenlanders go to the polls today, the island’s independence movement is now in the spotlight
In other times, Greenland’s parliamentary elections would not spark much interest outside Denmark, the country that notionally controls it.
But ever since Donald Trump threatened to seize the autonomous territory, the outcome of today’s vote has taken on more global significance.
As Greenlanders go to the polls today to elect the 31 members of the Inatsisartut, their parliament, the island’s independence movement is now in the spotlight.
Greenland was already edging towards seeking independence from Denmark before Trump intervened, but the President’s demands have sharpened the election campaign, overshadowing debates on issues like education, social affairs, fisheries — which account for 90 per cent of Greenland’s exports — and tourism.
A victory for pro-independence parties could open the door to greater US influence but while Greenland’s current government favours eventual independence, its leaders are vociferous in rejecting Trump’s overtures (or threats).
“We deserve to be treated with respect and I don’t think the American President has done that lately since he took office,” outgoing prime minister Múte Egede said yesterday.
And one recent poll found that 85 per cent of voters do not wish to become part of the US.
But Trump is nothing if not insistent. In a social media post on Sunday, he promised Greenlanders to “KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II…we are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH – and, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!”.
The reasons for Trump’s interest in Greenland are clear. The territory sits at the junction of key future Arctic shipping routes, and is thought to be home to massive resources of minerals and natural gas.
Not surprisingly, Russia and China have also been eyeing the territory.
Most of the outgoing Inatsisartut support independence from Denmark, though their approaches and timelines differ.
Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) led by Egede, backs independence but advocates for a cautious approach, emphasising the need for economic stability before full sovereignty (the island currently benefits from an annual €500m (£420m) subsidy from Denmark). Siumut, its social-democratic coalition partner, is keener on more accelerated timelines.
President Donald Trump talks about Greenland as he addresses a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., listen. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Trump is reportedly interested in Greenland’s natural resources (Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
At least 25 of the 31 members in the outgoing parliament support independence. And despite their antipathy to Trump’s plans, a January survey showed that 56 per cent of Greenlanders would vote for independence if a referendum were held today, while 28 per cent would oppose it.
Trump appears to have turbocharged the island’s debate over independence – where the new Inatsisartut goes from here could have ramifications well beyond the North Atlantic.