For decades, the world rarely dealt with politics in this Arctic region. On Tuesday, March 11, parliamentary elections will take place, and the political temperature increased there by the claims of Donald Trump. For decades on the island there have been independence trends and it is independence that the largest parties say, but when the American president declares that Greenland will belong to America anyway, resistance is born among residents.
The temperature in Nuk – the capital of Greenland – did not exceed five degrees above zero on Sunday, but the political temperature is much higher.
– Perhaps the most important choices in history are ahead of us. So much is said about independence. It has never been such a serious topic before. It will be a decisive election for Greenland, ”says Qiteraq Eugenius, a resident of Nuk.
The importance of these choices has what is said about Greenland except Greenland. – We need Greenland for international security. I think we'll get her. In one way or otherwise. We will have it – said the President of the United States Donald Trump in the Congress.
How do the inhabitants of Greenland react to Trump's claims?
Donald Trump's claims only intensify the mood for self -determination. According to all reliable research – most of the Greenlanders want to revise their relationships with Denmark, but at the same time they do not want Greenland to fall under the American protectorate.
“The current situation requires that we choose people who can cooperate because we do not want to be part of the United States in this way,” Vivian Motzfeldt from the Siumut party pointed out.
Such voices could be heard during a weekend political debate, because the inhabitants of Greenland will go to the Urns on Tuesday.
Only 57,000 people live on this largest island of the world. 40,000 voters have the right to vote, and there are 31 seats in parliament. Clear independence voices in Greenland have been heard since the 1970s and almost all the largest parties seek to become independent of Copenhagen or at least to relax the bond.
Many residents share the same view
– We don't want to be Danes. We don't want to be Americans either. We want to be Greenlanders. And it is the Nation of Greenland who will decide about its future – said the Prime Minister of Greenland Múte B. Eged.
– Greenland is not for sale. We all say it and I can only repeat that it will never be a topic for discussion – assured Erik Jensen from the Siumut party.
Electoral posters on the streets of Greenland citiesReuters
These are the voices of the two largest parties that have cooled Greenland so far, but many residents share such a view in terms of independence.
– I strongly talk to Greenland's independence. Yes! But not now. We need more well -educated residents to develop our country. We also need a stronger economy to be able to be an independent state – commented Justus Hansen, a candidate of the Demokraatit party.
Justus Hansen starts in the election to improve healthcare in Greenland, because he fell ill with kidney cancer. There is only one hospital on the pouring in which computed tomography is performed. The man had to cover nearly 700 kilometers to perform a basic test. The ice cap forced a journey, among others, on board the aircraft and a helicopter. After the diagnosis for treatment, he had to fly to Copenhagen.
“Independence is an important topic, but …”
– Therefore, yes: independence is an important topic, but internal and social matters are important. Economics, education, tourism or politics regarding the extraction of natural deposits – pointed out prof. Maria Ackrén from the University of Greenland.
This is probably just natural wealth – in addition to the strategic location of Greenland – they attract the attention of Donald Trump. The south of the island is full of oil, gas, gold, uranium or zinc. Washington's voice at the same time forces the change of rhetoric in Copenhagen.
– Danish foreign policy is frozen under the ice cover of Greenland. These are very difficult times because of the war in Ukraine and relations between Europe and the United States. The Danish premiere will probably speak a much milder tone than she probably would like to do it – says Noa Redington, a political scientist.
In Greenland, many inhabitants arouse hope that elections and geopolitical situation open their path to real independence.
Source of the main photo: Shutterstock