By Isabelle Yr Carlsson, Louise Rasmussen
(Reuters) -Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party won Tuesday’s parliamentary election, which was dominated by debates over self-rule and U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to take control of the island.
Greenland became a formal territory of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953, with Copenhagen controlling foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy. The island won the right to seek full independence through a referendum in 2009, but so far has chosen not to do so.
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?
Out of Greenland’s 57,000 citizens, around 40,500 were eligible to vote. Just over 28,600 cast their vote.
There are 31 seats in Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, and 16 seats are needed for a majority. Five out of the six parties that ran got seats.
The social liberal, pro-business party, Demokraatit, secured 29.9% of the votes, up from 9.1% in 2021, ahead of the opposition Naleraq party, which favours rapid independence, and which received 24.5% of votes.
Demokraatit
Demokraatit envisions gradual independence from Denmark, but it cautions against premature action to safeguard the people and economy from a potential decline in living standards.
The party wants an independent Greenland with a free market economy.
Demokraatit will now have ten seats in parliament, whereas it had three prior to the election. Party leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, received the most personal votes with 4,850 votes.
Naleraq
Left-wing Naleraq, which strongly advocates for a swift transition to full independence, became the second-largest party in Tuesday’s election.
Naleraq has said that becoming a sovereign state will spur new business opportunities for Greenland and wants to develop opportunities for industries such as fishing, which accounts for more than 95% of exports.
It has also said it wants to pursue a defence agreement with the United States and could choose a so-called “free association”, under which Greenland would receive U.S. support and protection in return for military rights, without becoming a U.S. territory.
It could also consider such an option with Denmark, or another country.
Naleraq will have eight seats in parliament. It won four seats in the 2021 election and added a further when a lawmaker joined from IA. In 2025, Naleraq excluded the lawmaker, who went on to become a non-aligned member of parliament.
Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA)
Left-leaning socialist IA, Greenland’s ruling party prior to the election and led by current Prime Minister Mute Egede, advocates for an economically and politically independent Greenland, but has not yet proposed a plan to achieve this.
IA opposes mining for uranium and other radioactive materials due to risks to the environment.
The party held 11 seats in parliament prior to the election and received more than 15% fewer votes compared to the 2021 election. IA will now have seven mandates.
IA has said it does not wish to rush an independence vote through, cautioning about possible economic and welfare implications.
Siumut
Social democratic Siumut, led by Erik Jensen, supports a gradual succession from Denmark. It has previously suggested holding a referendum in the coming four years, but has recently backtracked on this.
The party proposes reducing the economic contribution of about $17,500 per inhabitant the island receives yearly from Denmark over the next 15 years as Greenland moves towards full independence.
Siumut, which was part of the previous ruling coalition with IA, won four seats in Greenland’s parliament. It previously had 10 mandates.
Atassut
The centre-right conservative party Atassut, led by Aqqalu Jerimiassen, will maintain its two parliamentary representatives following the election.
The party advocates for unity with the Danish realm and opposes a transition to independence without a clear plan and has said it thinks Greenland is not yet ready for independence.
($1 = 0.9208 euros)
(Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Louise Ramussen; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
