Greenland: Centre-right wins elections and declares willingness to accelerate towards independence

Greenland's legislative elections marked an important political turning point, with the center-right opposition winning. According to national media reports, the election result saw an affirmation of the Demokraatit party, social-liberal formation, which obtained over 30% of the votes, followed by the nationalist party Naleraq with 23%. The parties of the outgoing government, on the other hand, have suffered a sharp decline: the left-wing environmentalists of Inuit Ataqatigiit reached 21% (-15% compared to 2021) and the social democrats of Siumut 15% (-14%).

Great turnout at the polls

The elections were held in a climate of strong popular participation. In the capital Nuuk, the polling stations remained open beyond the scheduled time to allow all citizens to cast their vote. With a population of approximately 56.000 inhabitants, mainly of Inuit ethnicity, Greenland experienced a historic moment, with a vote followed with great attention at international level. The The result is particularly significant as the Arctic island has become a point of geopolitical interest, also due to theinterest expressed by the US president Donald Trump, who during his election campaign hhas hypothesized an acquisition of Greenland due to its strategic location and mineral resources.

Unfulfilled Forecasts: The Demokraatit Surprise

The election outcome surprised many political observers, as Pre-election polls indicated a victory for the outgoing prime minister's party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, followed by Siumut. Demokraatit's victory represents a sign of change for the Greenlandic people, highlighting a growing interest in social issues such as health, education and cultural policies, as well as the debate on independence.

Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede had called for early elections in February, stressing the need for national unity at a “grave moment” for the country. However, his strategy was not enough to maintain the support of the electorate.

The Road to Independence: Greenland's Future

The theme of independence from Denmark, although not directly subject to the vote, dominated the election campaign and remains a central issue for the island's political futureGreenland has enjoyed a broad autonomy since 1979, but Denmark retains control over foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy. Since 2009, a Greenlandic law allows for the initiation of an independence process through a referendum, following negotiations with Copenhagen.

Demokraatit's victory will influence the pace of this process: party is in favor of independence, but in a gradual way. Naleraq, on the other hand, advocates a quicker break with Denmark.

The formation of the new government will therefore be crucial in determining the next steps towards Greenlandic sovereignty. According to Dwayne Menezes, director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative, “The approach to independence will ultimately depend on Demokraatit's decision on any governing alliances and the partners it chooses to form a coalition with.".

International interest and geopolitical implications

Greenland is at the center of a complex geopolitical scenario. Its location in the North Atlantic and wealth of natural resources, such as rare earths – critical to the global technology industry – make it a strategic territory. In recent years, both the United States and China have shown strong interest in its mineral resources, raising concerns in Copenhagen.

The Trump administration has in fact hypothesized a US acquisition of the island, declaring that “the United States will get it one way or another". Although the idea was rejected by Denmark and Greenland itself, the issue of security and international influence remains central.

Greenland's legislative elections could mark a change in political direction and could accelerate the path towards independence.a. The outcome of the vote highlights the will of citizens to redefine their future, with a growing emphasis on sovereignty and social policies. The formation of the new government will be crucial for the political path of the island in the coming years, in a context of growing international interest in the Arctic region.