The Ruling Party in Greenland Seeks to Hold a Referendum on Independence from Denmark

The ruling party 'Siumut' in Greenland intends to hold a vote on independence from Denmark following public elections next month. Greenland, which is an autonomous territory under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, announced that its public elections will take place on March 11. According to Reuters, the main issues in the electoral campaign include Greenland's independence and its relations with Denmark and the United States. This election comes at a time when Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has expressed interest in purchasing and controlling this strategically important island. Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 and currently enjoys extensive self-governing rights. The Siumut party aims to invoke a provision of the 2009 autonomy law that grants Greenland the right to negotiate for full independence. Doris Jensen, the party's political spokesperson, told Reuters on Thursday, 'For Greenland to have the ability to negotiate its future, it must become independent from Denmark. As long as we do not become an independent country, our opportunities for formal participation in negotiations will be limited.' Erik Jensen, the leader of the Siumut party, also told Denmark's 'DR' news network that he expects the independence referendum to be held in the next election period, although he did not specify an exact date. Parliamentary elections in Greenland are held every four years. All five political parties in the Greenland parliament have stated that they do not wish for the territory to join the United States. Erik Jensen emphasized that any decision regarding independence must be made with full awareness of its consequences. According to the English section of Voice of America, a survey conducted in 2019 indicated that more than two-thirds of the people of Greenland have sought independence at some point. However, another survey published in January of this year by two newspapers in Denmark and Greenland showed that 85% do not want to be part of the United States. At the same time, 55% considered Donald Trump's interest in Greenland as 'an opportunity.' Greenland: a resource-rich island at the center of global power competition. Greenland is exploring relationship options with Washington. The militarization of the Arctic by Russia is a factor in Trump's focus on Greenland. Trump: The golden age of America begins now. Meloni: Trump's remarks about Greenland and the Panama Canal are 'a message to global powers.' The EU's reaction to Trump's comments about Greenland: 'strange.' Trump's national security advisor option: Greenland is important for America.