Greenland’s center-right Demokraatit opposition party claimed victory in the territory’s election Tuesday, in what could be one of the most consequential polls in its history.
Why it matters: The new government will need to navigate President Trump’s intense public interest in acquiring the resource-rich territory, as the Arctic region attracts more global attention.
State of play: Five of the six main parties on the ballot favor Greenland gaining its independence from Denmark, including the pro-business social liberal Demokraatit (Democrats). However, the party’s policy is for a more gradual process toward self determination.
- Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede, from Inuit Ataqatigiit, a pro-independence democratic socialist political party, announced the snap elections last month, with independence expected to play a key role. The island is currently a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom Denmark.
- The Demokraatit won over 30% of the votes and Inuit Ataqatigiit just over 21%, according to preliminary results posted by Greenlandic media.
- Greenland’s lawmakers passed a bill last month banning foreign or anonymous political donations ahead of the election.
What they’re saying: Egede said on Facebook he respected the outcome of the election and is “excited to hear what the parties will offer for the negotiations” for forming a coalition government.
Between the lines: While the territory is self-governing, Denmark retains control over its “foreign, security, and defense policy” and border control issues, according to the International Trade Administration.
The big picture: Greenland is a mineral-rich territory with a strategic location providing key access to the Arctic, making it highly covetable in the eyes of the Trump administration.
- While many Greenlanders want full independence, the island faces an existential threat from Trump, who has vowed to take over Greenland “one way or the other.”
- The U.S. has a military base in Greenland and has had since 1951 an agreement with Denmark on defending the world’s largest island that’s not a continent.
Zoom in: Trump, whose interest in the island dates back to his first term, reiterated his interest in Greenland during his joint address of Congress earlier this month, but he has not specified what he envisions Greenland becoming.
- Egede has rebuked Trump, saying the territory is “not for sale” and that Greenlanders “do not want to be Americans, nor Danes.”
More from Axios:
Rebecca Falconer contributed reporting.
