Greenland: Independence debate reignites after Trump's statements, Siumut party promises to speed up the process if re-elected

The hypothesis of a referendum is becoming more and more concrete Greenland's independence from Denmark. The leader of the Social Democratic Party Siumut, Erik Jensen, has declared that, if re-elected in the next parliamentary elections on March 11, he will start the process of holding a referendum on the status of the Arctic island.

Jensen stressed that his party aims to negotiate full independence during the next legislature, which could last until 2029. Greenland, currently a semi-autonomous territory under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, already enjoys broad powers of self-government in the field of education, health and natural resources management. Tuttavia, Foreign affairs and defense remain under the control of Copenhagen.

The current situation between the political context and the early elections

The early elections were called after an intensification of the debate on independence, rekindled by the statements by US President Donald Trump, who expressed interest in purchasing GreenlandTrump's remarks have sparked outrage among both the Greenlandic population and local political leaders.

According to a recent poll, 85% of residents are firmly opposed to any idea of ​​joining the United States.Siumut spokeswoman Doris Jakobsen Jensen criticized Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for her handling of international tensions, accusing her of ignoring Greenland's requests in European forums.

The other party in power, Inuit Ataqatigiit, led by Prime Minister Mute B. Egede, supports the idea of ​​a referendum on independence, but without indicating a specific deadline.

The economic consequences of a possible independence

Despite growing support for independence, Greenland faces significant economic challenges. It currently receives approximately 500 million euros per year in subsidies da Copenhagen, a sum that represents a significant part of the national budget.
Analysts warn that Greenland does not yet have the financial means to sustain itself without Danish aid. The island's wealth of mineral resources, such as rare earths and oil, could provide a long-term solution, but requires major infrastructure investments.

International support

At the informal summit in Brussels this week, theEuropean leaders reiterated their support for Greenland and Denmark's right to self-determination. The President of the European Council António Costa said: "Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark is essential for the stability of Europe".

In the event of a referendum, negotiations between Copenhagen and Nuuk will be crucial to define the future of the relationship between the two countries.i, especially with regard to natural resources management and foreign policy.