Greenland, the world’s largest island, votes on Tuesday to elect its subsequent parliament and authorities.
The thinly populated Danish territory’s elections normally entice solely native consideration. Nonetheless, this vote comes at a time when the island has exploded into geopolitical significance, with United States President Donald Trump brazenly — and repeatedly — declaring his intent to accumulate it.
Greenland, technically part of North America, is wealthy in mineral assets, situated midway between Russia and the US, and already hosts a US base.
“I believe we’re going to get it. By hook or by crook, we’re going to get it,” Trump advised the US Congress final week in remarks which have obtained pushback from Greenlandic leaders.
So who’s going to vote within the election? That are the principle events? What are the important thing points driving voters? And what’s at stake for Greenland?
Who’s voting and the way does it work?
About 41,000 residents out of Greenland’s roughly 56,000 individuals are eligible to vote to elect 31 members to the Inatsisartut, Greenland’s parliament.
The election follows a proportional illustration system, that means seats are distributed based mostly on the share of votes every get together receives.
Polling stations are anticipated to open at 9am (11:00 GMT) and shut at 8pm (22:00 GMT) native time. Regardless of the nation’s massive and distant panorama, a excessive voter turnout is anticipated, roughly 70 to 75 p.c, in accordance with specialists Al Jazeera spoke to.
Given the comparatively small citizens, preliminary outcomes are sometimes obtainable inside hours after polls shut, with confirmed, remaining outcomes normally introduced the next day.
That are the principle events and what do they stand for?
A number of events are contesting the election. Whereas some have comparable views relating to the necessity for financial growth, every get together nonetheless holds its personal imaginative and prescient of what Greenland’s future ought to entail:
- Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA): The left-wing get together, led by incumbent Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede, holds 11 seats in parliament. It helps Greenlandic independence and has advised {that a} referendum may happen within the coming years – however not essentially on this election cycle.
- Siumut: A protracted-established get together which has led parliament previously, Siumut is presently in opposition. Whereas it additionally helps independence, it favours a extra gradual method, focusing extra on financial growth.
- Naleraq: A strongly pro-independence get together that focuses on Greenlandic cultural identification and self-determination, calling for full sovereignty.
- Demokraatit: A centre-right get together that prioritises financial development, training and healthcare. It additionally advocates for independence however, like another events, stresses the necessity for financial stability as a prerequisite.
- Atassut: A liberal-conservative get together that helps sustaining sturdy ties with Denmark. It believes the present setup, with Greenland having fun with some autonomy beneath Denmark, can help the island’s financial development.
Key points
Independence
It stays the most significant and overarching theme on this election, with some events advocating for better self-governance, and others calling for a extra gradual transition.
Trump has repeatedly referred to as for the island’s acquisition, and final week advised US Congress that doing so would enhance nationwide and worldwide safety.
His feedback have been quickly refuted by Prime Minister Egede, who proclaimed: “Greenland is ours.”
Some specialists consider Trump’s remarks have reignited discussions round independence from Denmark , which pays annual subsidies to the island.
“There stays a spectrum of views on how rapidly independence may or ought to occur,” Jennifer Spence, director of the Arctic Initiative on the Belfer Heart for Science and Worldwide Affairs, advised Al Jazeera.
“However I believe, general, it [Trump’s talk of taking over the island] has galvanised Greenlanders of their need to speak to the world that they need and can finally obtain full independence,” she stated.
Others recommend that the specter of a US takeover has really strengthened Greenland’s ties with Copenhagen — and their mutual dependence.
Richard Powell, professor of Arctic research on the College of Cambridge, stated whereas independence was nonetheless a “broadly in style long-term purpose”, Trump’s newest intervention has “consolidated Greenland’s future throughout the Kingdom of Denmark, no less than for the following couple of a long time”.
Finally, although, “the Greenland authorities has the facility to name an independence referendum if it needs”, stated Powell. “It isn’t as much as Denmark or the US.”
Ebbe Volquardsen, a cultural historical past professor on the College of Greenland, stated a majority of Greenlanders have for years supported full independence.
“This isn’t a brand new growth,” Volquardsen advised Al Jazeera. “What’s new, nonetheless, is the rising worldwide consideration on Greenland” since Trump started to indicate curiosity in bringing the island beneath US management.
With the island’s geopolitical worth now “undeniably clear”, Greenland’s negotiating place has been strengthened in its dialogue with Denmark for gaining better autonomy, stated Volquardsen.
The controversy just isn’t a lot about whether or not Greenland ought to finally declare independence, however relatively about “how and when this purpose will be achieved”, he added.
Financial growth:
Greenland’s economic system is essentially depending on its fishing business and on Danish monetary help.
Some events argue that increasing industries like mining, tourism and useful resource extraction may assist Greenland develop into extra impartial financially.
Greenland’s wealthy deposits of uncommon earth minerals and different pure assets have drawn consideration from international powers. Powell stated “there are estimates that 25 p.c of the world’s remaining uncommon earth parts and demanding minerals are in Greenland”, making it a possible participant in international provide chains.
However making minerals and mining a central ingredient of Greenland’s financial future won’t be simple. Solely a handful of firms have invested in its mining sector up to now – and extractive industries are opposed by Greenland’s Indigenous inhabitants.
“There are additionally substantial questions concerning the financial viability of extracting these assets due to the excessive prices and troublesome situations of mining in Greenland,” stated Spence. “There are questions concerning the environmental dangers and penalties of making an attempt to entry these minerals for Greenland and the well being, social and cultural dangers for Greenlanders.”
Nonetheless, in accordance with Volquardsen, Greenland is in a “distinctive second of alternative”, which many on the island understand as an opportunity to redefine its ties with Denmark and construct new worldwide partnerships.
“As international consciousness of Greenland’s geopolitical significance grows, so does curiosity in funding — significantly within the mining sector, which is essential for the nation’s financial future,” he stated.
How will the election have an effect on Greenland’s overseas relations?
The election may play a key function in reshaping Greenland’s method to worldwide partnerships.
Powell stated Greenland will possible proceed strengthening its ties with Denmark whereas additionally increasing financial ties with the US, Iceland, and Canada.
“The election will reinforce the precept internationally that that is Greenland’s selection. An election is how folks make their democratic voice heard,” he stated.
Spence believes the end result will present the world with “a way of the tempo at which Greenlanders wish to search full independence from the Kingdom of Denmark”, in addition to what method it can use to answer the US curiosity within the island.
It would additionally spotlight who it can cooperate with to advance its pursuits and coverage priorities, she stated.
How a lot does Denmark management Greenland?
Greenland is now an autonomous Danish territory and has been progressively rising its autonomy from Denmark through the years.
It was granted restricted self-rule in 1979, adopted by broader self-rule in 2009, which incorporates the appropriate to declare independence from Denmark by means of a referendum.
In the present day, Greenland manages most of its home affairs, together with policing and useful resource administration, however Denmark nonetheless oversees overseas coverage and defence issues.
Denmark’s monetary help additionally stays essential for Greenland, Powell identified.
Copenhagen provides Greenland an annual block grant that quantities to about $570m, which is greater than half of Greenland’s whole price range and is 20 p.c of the island’s gross home product (GDP).
With sturdy voter engagement anticipated, the election outcomes are extensively anticipated to supply perception into Greenland’s political path.
However in accordance with Volquardsen, “radical adjustments are to not be anticipated”.
The competing political events agree on many key points, he stated, and an entire change of presidency is unlikely.
A dialogue between Greenland and Denmark can also be anticipated to renew following the election, Volquardsen stated.
“The purpose”, he stated, is to grant Greenland better authority and to diversify its place inside a broader community of commerce companions. “Strengthening cooperation with its western neighbours – significantly america and Canada – is a pure step on this route.”
Why is Trump so fascinated by Greenland?
Greenland’s strategic location and resource potential have attracted Trump’s consideration.
In 2019, Trump first expressed curiosity in shopping for Greenland throughout his first presidential time period, citing its strategic significance and useful resource wealth. This curiosity has endured.
Greenland affords the shortest route from North America to Europe, giving the US a strategic higher hand for its army and ballistic missile early-warning system.
The US additionally maintains an airbase in Greenland and has expressed curiosity in increasing its army presence there by inserting radars within the waters connecting Greenland, Iceland and the UK.
These waters are a gateway for Russian and Chinese language vessels, which Washington seeks to watch. The US additionally needs to forestall China from gaining dominance over the island and the Arctic area extra typically.
In recent times, Russia has expanded its naval presence, deployed missile techniques, and ramped up weapons testing within the space.
Presently, all 5 events in parliament have stated they don’t want Greenland to develop into a part of the US.
An opinion ballot revealed final month additionally confirmed that 85 p.c of Greenlanders are against the thought, with almost half saying they see Trump’s curiosity as a risk.
Volquardsen stated one of the vital contentious points within the marketing campaign has been whether or not and when Greenland ought to proactively interact with the US.
“Some political figures advocate for early discussions to make clear US intentions and discover potential negotiations that would profit each events,” he stated. “Others see this as too dangerous … and argue that Greenland ought to as an alternative strengthen its present partnerships with Denmark and Europe.”
