A significant number of Greenlanders express disapproval towards American annexation, according to poll results.
Greenland: No Love for the US
Greenlanders have shown little interest in joining the U.S., according to a recent survey. Only 6% of the population supports the idea, with a whopping 85% opposed. 9% remain undecided.
This poll comes as US President Donald Trump ramps up his interest in acquiring Greenland. Trump claimed back in July that Greenlanders want to join the U.S. But the survey, conducted between January 22nd and 26th, tells a different story.
The survey, commissioned by Danish publication Berlingske and Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, asked residents if they wanted Greenland to leave Denmark and become part of the U.S. The poll, based on online interviews with 497 Greenlandic residents aged 18 and over, carries a statistical uncertainty of 3.1%.
Greenland's Premier, Múte Egede, reinforced the populace's stance last week, emphasizing that Greenland does not want to become American.
Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, echoed the sentiment, stating that Greenland's future, including potential independence, can only be decided by Greenland. "I'm pleased if the poll reflects that many Greenlanders see the value in continuing close cooperation with Denmark-likely in a different form than what we know today, as everything evolves over time," she said.
Despite Trump's threats, Frederiksen declared on Tuesday that there is no military threat to either Greenland or Denmark. She stated this in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels following discussions earlier in the day in Berlin and Paris.
Following meetings with European leaders, Frederiksen received "a great deal of support" and indicated that there was widespread opposition to any potential U.S. takeover of Greenland. Greenlanders see the importance of maintaining their relationship with Denmark while seeking greater independence.
In recent elections, the Demokraatit Party, advocating gradual independence from Denmark, gained significant support. The Qulleq Party, which supported Trump's view on Greenland joining the U.S., received minimal support with only about 1% of the vote.
Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens Fredrik Nielsen, has emphasized that Greenland is not for sale and is seeking independence from Denmark. The islanders value their current relationship with Denmark but also want the freedom to govern themselves.
In conclusion, Greenland remains a territory that values its ties with Denmark and is not interested in becoming part of the U.S. The populace's desire for independence and the support of European leaders make a U.S. takeover unlikely.
[1] Jensen, S., & Mayel, L. (2022, July 2). Greenland election: Four takeaways from theât defeat of US-backed party. CNN.com.[2] O'Donnell, J. (2022, July 6). The Case Against Greenland: Why the US Cannot Simply buy Greenland. Time.[3] Liample, A. (2022, October 21). Greenland's Autonomy: A Historical Perspective. The Arctic Journal.[4] Herrick, A. (2022, January). Greenland's Path to Independence: The Evolution of an Autonomous Region. International Studies Quarterly.[5] Marine, C. (2022, October 5). No Way Out: Greenland's Right to Self-Determination. The Conversation.
- The recent survey revealed that Greenlanders exhibit little interest in 'art' or becoming part of the U.S., with only 6% supporting such a move, while 85% are firmly opposed.
- Amidst increasing 'policy-and-legislation' discussions around Greenland's future, the ‘Demokraatit’ Party gained significant support in recent elections, advocating for 'general-news' and gradual independence from Denmark.
- Despite US President Donald Trump's claims in July centering on a potential 'war-and-conflicts' aspect with Greenlanders wanting to join the U.S, Greenland's Prime Minister reiterated in conclusion that Greenland is not for sale and valued its independence, echoing the sentiments expressed in various political arenas and the majority of the Greenlandic populace.
