BBC News, Copenhagen
Greenland residents move on to the polls on Tuesday that he has attracted some external attention in previous years – but what could be proven to be key to the future of the Arctic Territory.
Repeated interest of US President Donald Trump to acquire Greenland has firmly put in the center of attention and encouraged a long -standing debate on the future bonds of the island with Copenhagen.
“There has never been a spotlight like this in Greenland before,” says Nauja Bianco, Danish Green Policy Policy in Arctic.
Grenland controlled Denmark – almost 3000 KM (1,860 miles) – about 300 years. In accordance with their own domestic jobs, but decisions on foreign and defensive policy are made in Copenhagen.
Now, five of the six parties on the voting list of Greenland’s independence from Denmark, distinguishes only how quickly this should happen.
The debate on independence “Trump has put steroids,” says Masan Egeda, editor of Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq.
A strategic place on the island and unused mineral resources stuck in the eyes of the US president. First, he floated the idea of buying Greenland during his first term in 2019.
Ever since he re -assuming his duty in January, he has repeated his intention to acquire the territory. Greenland and Danish leaders repeatedly rejected his requests.
Speaking to the US Congress last week, Trump doubled again. “We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other we will get it,” he said, encouraging applause and laughter of a number of politicians, including Vice -President JD Vance.
In Nuuk, his words hit the nerves with politicians who quickly condemned them. “We deserve to treat them respect and I don’t think the US president has done so lately since he has taken over his post,” said Prime Minister Mute Egeda.
Still, US interest asked for calls to separate Greenland from Denmark, with much of the debate focused on it if – not if – the independence process should begin.
The goal of Greenland’s independence is not new, Nauja Bianco points out, and for decades it is in the emergence.
A series of revelation on the past harassment of inuit people by Danes hurt the public opinion of Greenland about Denmark. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Egeda said that the territory should be released from “colonialism shackles”.
But this is the first time the subject has occupied the center stage in the election.
Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), Party of Prime Minister Mute Egeda, favors gradual steps according to autonomy. “Citizens have to feel safe,” he told local media.
Arctic expert Martin Breum says that Egede’s resolution of Trump’s challenges and strong words against Denmark because of last colonial injustice “will give him a lot of votes.”
Smaller rivals could also get the country and potentially shake out alliances.
Opposition Party Nalerq wants to immediately start a divorce procedure from Copenhagen and have closer defense jobs with Washington.
Pointing to the departure of Greenland and Brexit, the leader of Pele Broberg Party said Greenland could be “from the Danish Kingdom in three years.”
Naleraq is on the ground of the largest number of candidates and gained momentum by riding a wave of dissatisfaction with Denmark.
“Naleraq will also be a bigger factor in Parliament,” Mr. Breum envisages, who says that the candidates for the parties have performed well on TV on social networks.
However, the right center Democaatit believes that it is too early to advocate independence.
“The economy will have to be much stronger than today,” the party candidate Justus Hansen told Reuters.
The Greenland economy is running fishing, and state consumption relies on annual subsidies from Denmark.
Talking about Trump and independence was overshadowed by other key issues to the voters, says newspaper editor Masan Egeda.
“These are elections where we should talk about health care, care for older and social problems. Almost everything talks about independence.”
According to recent surveys, almost 80% of Greenlanders’ back moves towards future statehood.
About 44,000 people are eligible for voting, as a small number and several surveys, the results are difficult to predict.
Although most Greenland favors independence, The study showed That half would be less delighted with independence if that means lower life standards.
One poll showed that 85% of Greenland does not want to become part of the United States, and see almost half of Trump’s interest as a threat.
One fear of some Greenland, says Masaan Egeda, is how long the Arctic island could remain independent and whether it will be deducted from Denmark just for another country “to stand on our shores and start taking over.”
Experts say that concern could direct voices to maintain status quo.
Although Greenland’s right to self -determination is embedded in the Law on Self -Government of 2009, a few steps should be taken before the territory could be separated from Denmark, including the referendum.
This means that obtaining full independence could take “about 10 to 15 years,” says Kaj Kleist, a veteran politician Greenland and a civil servant who has prepared a self -service law.
“There is a lot of preparation for negotiating with the Danish government before you do it,” he adds.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, experts do not believe that Grenland could become independent before Trump’s second term ended in 2028.
The results are expected in the early hours of Wednesday.
