Greenland’s Center-Right Party Shocks Opponents While Trump Revives Territorial Ambitions

In a surprising turn of events, Greenland's center-right Demokraatit party has clinched victory in the nation’s parliamentary elections, unseating Prime Minister Múte Egede’s Inuit Ataqatigiit party. This dramatic shift comes amid renewed discussions of Greenland’s independence from Denmark, amplified by former U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent aspirations to bring Greenland under American control.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of the Demokraatit party, spoke to Reuters following the win, saying, "People want change ... We want more business to finance our welfare." Nielsen emphasized that while independence from Denmark remains a goal, it should not come "tomorrow," but rather be built on a "good foundation." The message clearly resonated with voters, as the Demokraatit party surged to nearly 30% of the vote, a significant leap from their 9% share in 2021.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of Denmark with a population of roughly 57,000, has long entertained the idea of independence. Four of the five major parties in this election—including the top two finishers, Demokraatit and Naleraq—support breaking away from Denmark, though they differ on the timeline and strategy. The conversation gained new momentum after Trump’s revived interest in Greenland, with the former president making eyebrow-raising comments about the territory’s future.

In a recent address to Congress, Trump declared, "We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and, if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America." He went on to say, "One way or the other, we’re going to get it." It's the kind of line that could make you laugh—until you remember he’s serious.

The election outcome has unsettled some Danish officials. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen congratulated the Demokraatit party but warned of "massive pressure" from Trump. Poulsen added that Greenland’s future should ultimately rest on the will of its people.

Prime Minister Egede, now on his way out, graciously accepted the results in a Facebook post, stating that his party would work toward negotiations with the incoming government. Meanwhile, this election marks a notable shift in Greenlandic politics, as voters seem eager for a new direction.

Trump’s fixation on Greenland is nothing new. Back in 2019, during his first term, he famously floated the idea of buying the island, which prompted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to call the proposal "absurd." Trump retaliated by canceling a planned trip to Denmark, branding Frederiksen’s remarks as "nasty." Fast forward to today, and his ambitions remain unchanged. In December 2024, Trump even appointed Ken Howery as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, calling Greenland’s "ownership and control" an "absolute necessity." Subtle, he is not.

While Trump’s statements have sparked laughter and controversy, they’ve also pushed Greenland’s independence debate into the global spotlight. It seems the icy island’s political landscape is heating up faster than its glaciers.