Election results in Greenland are in: Ruling party loses

The Naleraq Party took second place with 24.5 percent of the vote, while the Inuit Ataqatigiit Party, led by Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede, came in third with 21 percent. The ruling coalition partner, the Siumut Party, remained in fourth place with 15 percent of the vote. Five of the six parties participating in the election supported Greenland's independence.

There were disagreements among the parties regarding Greenland's independence process. While the Naleraq Party promised to hold an independence referendum within 3-4 years, the Inuit Ataqatigiit Party argued that independence would be risky without economic preparation. While the Greenlandic economy relies heavily on fishing, the 565 million dollar annual subsidy received from Denmark makes up a significant portion of the budget.

Bank of Greenland Director Martin Kviesgaard evaluated the election results and stated the following:

'Independence is not economically feasible at this moment. This process cannot be sustained by the fishing sector alone.'

In Greenland, which has a population of 58 thousand 865, there were 40 thousand 369 registered voters. According to officials, 28 thousand 298 people cast their votes in the election.

TRUMP: 'WE WILL GET IT DONE SOMEHOW'

US President Donald Trump drew attention to Greenland's strategic importance and reiterated his desire for the region to be incorporated into US territory. In his speech to Congress last week, Trump said, 'We need Greenland for national security. We will get it done somehow.'

According to a report by The Telegraph, Trump stated that he supports the right of the Greenlandic people to determine their own future and suggested that economic development would be achieved through investments in the region. Prime Minister Egede responded to Trump's remarks, stating, 'Greenland is not for sale. We deserve to be respected.'

DENMARK HAS NOT CLOSED THE DOOR ON INDEPENDENCE

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the people of Greenland have the right to determine their own future, avoiding direct involvement in the independence debates. However, the Danish government reiterated its view that it would be risky for Greenland to declare independence without being economically prepared.

According to experts, Greenland's geopolitical importance has increased the interest of global powers such as the US, China, and Russia in the region. It has been suggested that the US aims to increase its influence in the region due to Greenland's strategic location and its potential regarding rare earth elements.

Greenland's geographical structure made the election process technically challenging. Airplanes, helicopters, ships, snowmobiles, and dog sleds were used to deliver ballots to the country's most remote areas. It was stated that special logistical measures were taken this year to prevent a recurrence of the disruptions experienced in 2018.

News Source: 12punto