Copenhagen, Denmark. Greenlandic candidates competing for two seats in Denmark’s national assembly say they want to use heightened international attention on Greenland to seek concessions from Denmark. The focus has intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated interest in acquiring the Arctic island.
Election stakes and calls for sovereignty
Juno Berthelsen, 43, a candidate for the opposition and pro-independence Naleraq party, said sovereignty is central to the campaign. “The most important thing for us in this election is the sovereignty of the Greenlandic people,” Berthelsen said, adding that Greenlanders “should always be at the centre of any conversation about Greenland.”
Naleraq, which means point of orientation in the local Kalaallisut language, is fielding five candidates, including Berthelsen, for the two seats in the Danish national assembly representing Greenland. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Debate over Denmark’s role and investment
Trump’s ambitions for the United States to acquire Greenland have highlighted questions about Danish investment in defence, infrastructure and economic development on the island, which has a population of about 57,000.
While many Greenlanders consider Naleraq’s calls for a swift break from Copenhagen premature or wrong, some see Trump’s demand for more control as leverage to press Denmark over long-standing grievances.
Strategic competition and renewed international attention
As major powers compete for influence in the region and melting ice opens new shipping routes and access to natural resources, Greenland’s strategic importance has become more prominent. In this context, Copenhagen is under pressure to demonstrate its value as a partner.
During his first term, Trump proposed buying Greenland from Denmark, a suggestion Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called “absurd.” Trump later scrapped a planned visit to Denmark and described Frederiksen’s comment as “nasty.”
Two weeks before taking office, Trump said he would not rule out using military or economic force to take control of Greenland. His eldest son, Donald Jr., visited Greenland and said the population “will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation”.
What concessions, if any, do you think Denmark should offer Greenland in response to the heightened international attention?