Voting was prolonged at some polling stations amid excessive turnout in an election dominated by Trump’s promise to regulate the strategic Arctic island.
Unofficial ends in Greenland’s election are anticipated to emerge shortly after polling closed in a vote that may decide which leaders confront United States President Donald Trump’s pledge to take management of the strategically placed Arctic nation.
Voting was prolonged by half an hour previous a 22:00 GMT deadline on Tuesday amid excessive voter turnout at a number of of the 72 polling stations throughout the mineral-rich island, the place 40,500 folks have been eligible to solid their poll.
There have been no exit polls, and a ultimate tally of the vote may take between three and 5 hours to finish, Greenland’s election authority stated.
Official outcomes won’t be licensed for weeks as poll papers make their technique to the capital, Nuuk, from distant settlements by boat, aircraft and helicopter.
Photographs and video clips shared on social media confirmed folks queueing within the ice and snow outdoors polling stations in Nuuk as much as 45 minutes earlier than voting closed. Earlier within the day, lengthy queues have been additionally reported at voting centres.
Since taking workplace in January, Trump has promised to make Greenland – a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark – a part of the US, saying it’s vital to US security interests.
The huge island, with a inhabitants of simply 57,000, has been caught up in a geopolitical race for dominance within the Arctic, the place melting ice caps are making its wealthy assets of uncommon earth metals extra accessible and opening new delivery routes.
Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Bourup Egede, referred to as the election final month, saying the nation wanted to be united throughout a “severe time” that’s not like something Greenland has ever skilled.
Whereas Trump has been outspoken about his desire to control Greenland, each Russia and China have additionally intensified navy exercise within the Arctic area.
Greenland is a former Danish colony and a territory since 1953. It gained some autonomy in 1979 when its first parliament was fashioned, however Copenhagen nonetheless controls overseas affairs, defence and financial coverage and offers just below $1bn a yr to the financial system.
In 2009, Greenland gained the fitting to declare full independence by a referendum, despite the fact that it has not achieved so out of concern that dwelling requirements would drop with out Denmark’s financial help.
Julie Rademacher, a guide and former adviser to Greenland’s authorities, stated that early on, the election marketing campaign targeted on the anger and frustration aimed toward historic wrongdoings by former colonial ruler Denmark.
“However I feel the concern of the US imperialist method has these days grow to be larger than the anger in the direction of Denmark,” Rademacher stated.
The Reuters information company spoke to greater than a dozen Greenlanders in Nuuk, all of whom stated they favoured independence, though many expressed concern {that a} swift transition may harm the financial system and get rid of Nordic welfare companies like common healthcare and free education.
“We don’t need to be a part of the US for apparent causes; healthcare and Trump,” stated Tuuta Lynge-Larsen, a financial institution worker and Nuuk resident, including that this election was particularly essential.
A ballot in January urged that almost all of Greenland’s inhabitants help independence however are divided on timing.
