NUUK, Greenland (AP) — In a surprising outcome, the center-right Demokraatit Party garnered the highest number of votes during Greenland’s parliamentary elections, occurring under the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s declared ambition to assert control over the territory.
Both Demokraatit — representing the Democrats — and its close competitor, Naleraq — meaning “Point of Orientation” — support independence from Denmark, yet they diverge in their approaches regarding the speed of that transition.
Members of the Naleraq party celebrate after the parliamentary elections in Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Demokraatit’s unexpected win over long-standing governing parties suggests that many Greenlanders place equal importance on issues like healthcare, education, cultural heritage, and various social policies.
The surprising results followed an influx of voters who poured into the polling station in the capital, Nuuk, throughout the day, encouraged by sunny weather. Exhausted election officials extended polling hours beyond the planned closing time of 8 p.m. local to ensure everyone in line had the opportunity to vote.
Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede called for the elections a bit prematurely in February, indicating that the country needed to be unified during an exceptional period unlike anything Greenland had faced before.
Trump has openly expressed his ambitions for Greenland, stating during a joint session of Congress last week that he believed the U.S. would acquire it “one way or the other.”
Greenland, which enjoys self-governing status under Denmark, sits at critical air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and possesses valuable deposits of rare earth minerals crucial for manufacturing everything from smartphones to renewable energy technology.
Egede’s party, Inuit Ataqatigiit (United Inuit), was widely anticipated to win, followed by Siumut — both of which had long dominated the political landscape of Greenland.
Members of the Inuit Ataqatigiit political party celebrate with national flags at a gathering following parliamentary elections in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Electoral workers get ready to count votes during the parliamentary elections in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
While independence was not officially on the ballot, it remained a central theme in discussions. The population of just 56,000 has been forging a path towards independence since at least 2009, and the 31 lawmakers elected will impact the island’s trajectory as it considers whether now is the time to declare independence.
Four out of five main parties in the election aspired for independence, though they held varying opinions on the timeline and methodology.
Naleraq advocates for a more aggressive pursuit of independence, while Demokraatit promotes a slower, more deliberate approach.
“The direction regarding independence will ultimately hinge on whether Demokraatit opts to form a coalition government and, if so, with which party,” remarked Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative.
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