Greenland's journey towards self-governance: An analysis
Independence on the Horizon for Greenland: A Matter of 'When,' Not 'If'
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The upcoming election in Greenland is all about independence. With all major political parties backing the move, the debate has shifted towards deciding when, not if, to break ties with Denmark.
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The Greenlandicself-rule law of 2009 serves as a roadmap to independence, setting the stage for the people to determine their own future. If Greenland becomes independent, the self-rule law stipulates that the Greenlanders shall assume sovereignty over the Greenland territory.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has emphasized that the self-rule law unequivocally states that Greenland and the Greenlanders will define their own future. In a similar vein, US President Donald Trump acknowledged the Greenlanders' right to self-determination during a speech to the US Congress.
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While the self-rule law doesn't define the people eligible to vote in a referendum on independence, discussions about Greenlandic nationality and the creation of an "Inuit register" have been sparked. And, some Greenlanders argue that the Danish colonizers should not have a say in whether Greenland remains part of Denmark.
Jorgen Albaek Jensen, a professor emeritus in law at the University of Aarhus, voices concerns over the practicality of creating an "Inuit register." With so many mixed marriages between Greenlanders and Danes, determining eligibility based on ethnicity could potentially lead to complicated and controversial questions.
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Elections for Greenland's parliament require Danish citizens who have resided in Greenland for more than six months to be eligible to vote. However, Greenlanders living in Denmark do not have the right to vote in Greenland's elections, with exceptions made only for students.
In an effort to clarify matters concerning the activation of Article 21 (the independence clause), Greenland's outgoing government has set up a commission to conduct a comprehensive legal review and propose future proceedings. The commission aims to present its conclusions in late 2026.
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None of Greenland's main political parties plan to initiate the independence process before 2026. Considering the numerous practical considerations required, including relations with third countries like the US, independence is perceived as a lengthy endeavor.
"This is a long-term project," says Frederik Waage, a professor at the University of Southern Denmark. "The understanding in Denmark is certainly that full independence will not be achieved while Trump is president."
An opinion poll conducted in January indicated that 56% of Greenlanders support independence, but if it means a decrease in living standards, 45% oppose it. In other words, while the desire for independence is strong, practical concerns weigh heavily on the minds of Greenlanders.
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See Also
### Understanding Greenland's Nationality and the Potential Impact on Voting Eligibility### How Greenlanders in Denmark are Shaping the Election Discourse### The Historical Context of Greenland's Status Within the Danish Realm### Five Danish Words that will Leave Non-Danish Speakers Baffled
- The news about Greenland's independence extensively covers politics, as all major parties advocate for breaking ties with Denmark.
- The self-rule law of 2009 lays the foundation for Greenland's potential independence, granting the Greenlanders sovereignty over their territory.
- While the self-rule law does not specify the voters in a referendum on independence, discussions about Greenlandic nationality and the creation of an "Inuit register" have emerged.
- Articles discussing Greenland's independence often mention policy-and-legislation, considering the numerous practical matters that need to be addressed, such as foreign relations with countries like the US.
