Greenland goes to the election as Trump’s eye area

Greenland residents go to voting on Tuesday, which has little attention in previous years – but which may be the main for the future of the Arctic territory.

US President Donald Trump has repeated interest in acquiring Greenland in the focus and has caused many years of discussion about future ties with Copenhagen.

“Earlier in Greenland, there has never been such attention,” says Naugha Bianka, an expert on the Arctic Danish Grinic.

Greenland was ruled by Denmark – almost 3000 km (1860 miles) – about 300 years. It regulates its own internal affairs, but decisions on foreign and defense policy are made in Copenhagen.

Now, five on the six sides are in favor of Greenland’s independence from Denmark, different only on how quickly it should happen.

The discussion on independence was “put on Trump’s steroid,” says Masan Eged, editor of Greenland Smitsia.

The strategic location of the island and the unused mineral resources quarreled the US president. He first sailed the idea of ​​buying Greenland during the first term in 2019.

Since his post again in January, he reaffirmed his intention to acquire the territory. Greenland and Denmark leaders have repeatedly abandoned their demands.

Addressing the US Congress last week, Trump doubled again. “We need Greenland for national security. One way or another we will receive it,” he said, telling the applause and laughter of a number of politicians, including the Vice President of JD Vance.

In Neruuk, his words struck the nerves with the politicians who quickly condemned them. “We deserve to be treated with respect, and I do not think that the US president has done so recently since he has taken office,” said Prime Minister Mitte Aege.

However, interest in the United States has called for Greenland to break away from Denmark, and most of the discussion is concentrated when – not when – the independence process should begin.

The goal of Greenland’s independence is not new, Nauga Bianka notes and decades.

A number of discoveries about the past the cruel treatment of the Inuits of the Danes harmed the Greenland public opinion about Denmark. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Eged said the territory should be released from “colonialism”.

But this is the first time the subject was central to the election.

Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), Prime Minister Mute Egege, contributes to the gradual step towards autonomy. “Citizens should feel safe,” he said in local media.

Arctic Expert Martin Breum says that Aged Trump’s appeal and strong words against Denmark over past colonial violations “will give him a lot of votes.”

Smaller competitors can also get the land and potentially shake alliances.

Nalaraq’s opposition party wants to start a divorce from Copenhagen immediately and have a closer defense relationship with Washington.

Speaking to EU Departure Greenland and Brexit, Party leader Pele Broberg said Greenland could “leave the Danish Kingdom for three years”.

Naleraq conducts the highest number of candidates and gained strength by going to a wave of dissatisfaction with Denmark.

“Naleraq will also be a bigger factor in the parliament,” Mr. Brew predicts, who says that the candidates for the party also spoke well on the social media.

However, the Demokraatit party, which is managed by the centers, believes it is too fast to push for independence.

“The economy should be much stronger than it is today,” said the Justus Hansen candidate.

Greenland’s economy is caused by fishing, and public expenses rely on Denmark’s annual subsidies.

Talk about Trump and Independence has obscured other key issues for voters, says Massana Eged, editor.

“This is an election where we need to talk about medical care, concern for the elderly and social problems. Almost everything about independence.”

According to recent polls, almost 80% of the British are returning to future statehood.

About 44,000 people have the right to vote, and, given the low number and several surveys, the results are difficult to predict.

Despite a specified survey This half would be less captured by independence if that meant a lower standard of living.

One poll showed that 85% of English do not want to become part of the United States, and almost half see Trump’s interest as a threat.

One of the fear among some Greenlander, says Massan Aege, is how long the Arctic Island can remain independent and whether it will come off from Denmark just to make the other country “stand on our coasts and start imitate.”

Experts say that this concern can direct the votes to maintain the status of -Kwa.

Despite the fact that Greenland’s right to self -determination is enshrined in the 2009 self -government law, there are several steps to be taken before the territory can break away from Denmark, including holding a referendum.

This means that gaining full independence can take “about 10 to 15 years,” says Kai Pleista, veteran-enchanting politician and civil servant who has prepared a self-government law.

“There is a lot of preparation and negotiations with the Danish government before you can make it a reality,” he adds.

Regardless of the election results, experts do not believe that Greenland may become independent before Trump’s second term is over in 2028.

The results are expected in the early hours Wednesday.