Greenland Votes: How the Election Impacts Trump's Ambitions
Greenland's center-right opposition party has emerged victorious in an unexpected general election win , in a vote largely overshadowed by Donald Trump 's vow to assume control of the semiautonomous region.
The Demokraatit party, which supports a gradual independence from Denmark, won nearly 30 percent of the vote, compared to just nine percent in the election four years ago.
The party has countered Trump's statements, asserting that it should be up to the Greenlanders to determine their territory's destiny.
Why It Matters
Tuesday's election This was an opportunity for Greenlanders to react to Trump, who had openly expressed his wish to exert control over Greenland. During a joint session, Trump stated Congress last week that he thought the U.S. was going to get it "one way of the other."
Jens-Friederik Nielsen, the leader of the Democrats, stated that the outcome should convey a strong message to Trump that Greenland is not up for grabs.
“We have no desire to become Americans. Nor do we wish to be Danish. Our aim is to remain Greenlandic. In the years ahead, we aspire to achieve self-governance for our nation. Moreover, we intend to construct our own country independently, without relying on others’ expectations,” he stated to Sky News.
What To Know
The Demokraatit party emerged as the frontrunner in Tuesday’s elections, securing 29.9% of the votes. In second place was Naleraq, which advocates most fervently for independence, garnering 24.5%. Although Naleraq promotes stronger ties with the US, they do not support Greenland becoming an American territory.
The current ruling parties, the center-left Inuit Ataqatigiit and the left-wing Siumut, were expected to secure third and fourth positions with 21.4 percent and 14.7 percent of the votes respectively.
The Demokraatit party's strong results mean it will get a chance to try to form a coalition government.
Trump has long expressed an interest in acquiring Greenland, and first proposed purchasing the territory in 2019. He later repeated his interest following his presidential election victory in November 2024.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's former Premier Múte Bourup Egede have both consistently dismissed President Donald Trump’s proposals multiple times.
In January, Egede stated that Greenlanders "do not wish to become Americans," whereas Frederiksen emphasized "it is essential to honor territorial integrity and state sovereignty."
In January, a survey carried out by Verian for Denmark’s Berlingske newspaper and Greenland's Sermitsiaq magazine revealed that merely 6% of Greenland residents supported the idea of their region becoming subject to U.S. control.
On the contrary, 85 percent disagreed with the concept, whereas nine percent expressed uncertainty. This survey was conducted from January 22 to 27 and involved 497 Greenlandic residents aged 18 and older.
What People Are Saying
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated in a press release on Wednesday that the election marked "a joyous day and a festival of democratic principles."
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen Congratulated the Demokraatit party and mentioned that the upcoming Greenlandic administration might face significant pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, as reported by Danish media outlet DR.
He further stated that “it’s not true that you can simply extract a portion of the Danish Realm—the future of Greenland depends on what the Greenlandic people and their government desire.”
Seth Abramson , an American political commentator, posted on X, previously known as Twitter: "Neither Trump nor Musk had any significant impact on the outcome of the election in Greenland—a place they barely have any connection with and likely never will."
Dwayne Menezes The managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative told the Associated Press, "Which approach to independence prevails will hinge on whether Demokraatit chooses to establish a coalition government and, should they decide to do so, with which political party they ally themselves."
What Happens Next
The Demokraatit party will attempt to establish a coalition government with other parties in the next few days.
The talks will most likely lead to a government that stands against Greenland being turned into an American territory.
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