Greenland Casts Vote Amidst Trump's Progressive Intentions

Greenlanders head to the polls today as the Danish self-governing territory voted in legislative elections, potentially setting a timeline for a possible independence movement. This election comes as US President Donald Trump has made efforts to secure Greenland, a vast Arctic island rich in resources, despite ongoing backlash from Greenlanders.

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Trump, determined to get his hands on Greenland "one way or the other," tried for the last minute to influence the election, causing astonishment, rejection, and even a small degree of enthusiasm among the 57,000 Greenlanders.

"Our country is in the eye of the storm," outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede, head of the left-leaning party, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), said on Facebook just hours before the vote. "The international community is watching us closely, and we have recently seen how much they are trying to influence our country."

Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m., with first results expected several hours later.

The election's lead-up primarily focused on debates over healthcare, education, and future ties with Denmark, which still controls foreign, defense, and monetary policy. Greenlanders, who are predominantly Inuits, expressed feelings of being treated as second-class citizens by their former colonial power. All the main political parties favor independence but disagree on the timeline.

Balance of power

The election result will determine the balance of power between those who want immediate independence, such as the nationalist Naleraq party, and those who prefer a more measured approach, like the left-leaning Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and social democratic Siumut parties of the outgoing coalition. The island, covered 80 percent by ice, relies on its fisheries sector for its economy, as well as annual Danish subsidies of over $565 million, equivalent to 20% of its GDP.

The most impatient independence supporters believe Greenland will soon become financially self-sufficient thanks to untapped mineral reserves, including rare earths crucial to the green transition. The mining sector is still in its infancy, hampered by high costs due to Greenland's harsh climate and lack of infrastructure.

Trump floated the idea of buying Greenland during his first term, only to be swiftly rejected by Danish and Greenlandic authorities. Upon returning to power, he has shown renewed interest, refusing to rule out the use of force and emphasizing national security. On Sunday, he invited Greenlanders to "be part of the greatest nation anywhere in the world, the United States of America."

Polls show 85% of Greenlanders are opposed to Trump's idea. Rene Olsen, a 58-year-old ship repairman, told AFP, "We don't want to be American. He is so arrogant." However, Trump's statements have contributed to a more polarized debate, reinforcing each side's convictions and sparking concerns about potential foreign interference campaigns, particularly from Russia.

Political analysts assert that Trump's meddling has had mixed effects on Greenland's political landscape. "Trump's message is indeed a positive one, since it provides a safer and more stable ground for Greenland's move to independence," Naleraq's Juno Berthelsen said. "But his statements have also chilled some independence supporters, making continued ties with Copenhagen more attractive to them."

Regardless of the election's outcome, it is clear that the relationship between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States will continue to be a topic of great interest and potential tension in the years to come.

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