Greenland opposition party wins election held in Trump's shadow
Greenland voters sent a strong signal Tuesday that they support leaders who will support the Arctic island's sovereignty, even as President Trump pushes to annex the territory.
Greenland's center-right Demokraatit party, whose leaders have been critical of Trump’s takeover talk, won nearly 30 percent of the vote — a dramatic jump from the last election four years ago.
Naleraq, the most aggressively pro-independence party on the ballot, came in second with nearly 25 percent of the vote.
The incumbent ruling party, the democratic socialist Inuit Ataqatigiit led by Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede, came in third with about 21 percent of the vote — down from 36 percent it won four years ago.
Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. All of the major parties on Tuesday's ballot have supported some form of breakaway from Denmark, but with different paths.
Demokraatit has cautioned against fast-tracking the sovereignty movement.
"We don't want independence tomorrow, we want a good foundation," Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Demokraatit's leader and a former minister of industry and minerals, told reporters after votes were counted.
Polls have shown widespread support among the island's residents for Greenland to become an independent country, but concerns over the impact on its economy and foreign policy remain.
While the parliamentary election has lofted sovereignty supporters, it's unclear when Greenlanders will have a vote on the broader issue.
"Once the new coalition is formed, Greenlandic parties will likely begin internal negotiations on how to advance the process of increasing independence from Denmark while ensuring economic and social stability,” Anne Merrild, a professor at Denmark's Aalborg University, told USA Today.
Since reclaiming the White House in January, Trump has ramped up calls for the U.S. to take control of Greenland.
“I think we’re going to get it,” Trump said during his speech to a joint session of Congress on March 4. “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
Trump and his allies argue U.S. control of the natural resources-rich land is "an absolute necessity" for national security.
Topics
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Greenland's opposition wins election dominated by independence and Trump
The Democrats party wants a gradual move to independence but the second-placed party is keen to speed it up.BBC News - 7h -
Greenland election: Democrat party wins surprise victory amid spectre of Trump
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Upset in Greenland parliamentary elections as center-right party wins
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Greenland party favouring gradual independence wins election
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President Trump has expressed a desire to “get” Greenland, but the victorious party is in no rush to change the status quo.The New York Times - 6h -
A Trump critic just won Greenland's election, but the White House may still benefit
A party that has criticized President Trump's threat to take over Greenland won an election there, but may have to govern with a pro-White House opponent.NBC News - 8h -
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Greenland's national election will determine control of its parliament, with the ruling Inatsisartut party supporting independence and Trump suggesting the U.S. should take control of the island.The Hill - 1d -
Greenland holds election as Trump vows takeover
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