In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, the polls closed on Tuesday evening following a significant turnout in a parliamentary election seen as pivotal in determining the leadership that will face U.S. President Donald Trump’s overtures towards Greenland. Throughout the day, large crowds flocked to the polling station under sunny skies. Despite their fatigue, election officials kept the station open past the scheduled 8 p.m. local time (2200 GMT) to ensure every voter in line could cast their ballot.
Unofficial results from the election are expected to emerge in the hours following the vote, though the final certification will take longer due to the logistical challenges of transporting paper ballots from remote communities to Nuuk by boat, plane, and helicopter. Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede culled these elections a bit early, emphasizing unity during what he described as an unprecedentedly “serious time” for Greenland.
Positioned along strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and home to valuable deposits of rare earth minerals crucial for modern technology, Greenland is a self-governing region of Denmark. President Trump has previously expressed a strong interest in acquiring Greenland, recently stating to Congress a belief that the U.S. could secure control “one way or the other.” Although Greenland, with a population of 56,000, has been progressing towards independence since 2009, complete independence was not the focus of the ballot, even though the notion was prevalent in discussions. Voters instead elected 31 representatives to guide Greenland during a crucial moment in its history.
In Nuuk, the atmosphere was filled with excitement at the sole polling station as it opened to cheering at 1100 GMT. Surveys indicate a strong inclination towards independence among the populace. Despite generally positive perceptions of Americans—bolstered by good relations with the local Pituffik Space Base—most Greenlanders are not keen to become Americans. The prevailing sentiment is that Greenland is “open for business, but not for sale,” as articulated by Doris Jensen of the social democratic Siumut party, who champions independence.
The international focus spurred by Trump’s interest has injected a global dimension into Greenland’s democratic proceedings. Journalists from distant locations, including Japan and Croatia, underscore the unusual nature of this election cycle. Voter Sofia Rossen, for example, directed a message at Trump urging him to “Stop talking about Greenland” in Nuuk. While Greenlanders traditionally enjoyed good ties with the United States, they assert their autonomy to chart their future course without external influence, reiterating that they are neither Americans nor Danes but have a unique identity within the Danish realm.
Pipaluk Lynge of the ruling United Inuit party expressed apprehensions, noting that Trump’s attention since the start of the year has been unsettling. She emphasized the importance of strengthening bonds with Europe to secure Greenland’s sovereignty. Following a televised debate in Nuuk, Prime Minister Egede met with a group of supporters overshadowed by the media’s presence. Aviaja Sinkbaek, a school employee, commented on the intimidating influx of reporters, suggesting that significant developments might be forthcoming.
Greenland’s political landscape operates at a unique tempo, with campaign debates that remain largely cordial and devoid of intense confrontations. Campaign topics included workforce development and designing decorations for the new airport with a jumbo jet-ready runway that opened in November. On election day, parties stationed outside the Nuuk polling venue offered refreshments such as hot drinks and Greenlandic cake, or raisin-laced bread with butter, aiming to sway undecided voters.
Finalizing the election results will require weeks due to Greenland’s sprawling geography, with no roads linking its dispersed communities across a 2.16 million square kilometer expanse. Yet, this vastness coincides with increased global interest. Greenlanders are aware of the wealth beneath their feet, hopeful that rare earth minerals could diversify an economy reliant on government employment, constituting 40% of all jobs. Nonetheless, strict governmental environmental protection regulations pose challenges to potential mineral extraction operations in the harsh, ice-covered terrain.
Amid these circumstances, a substantial turnout was observed. SUVs caused traffic snarls on Nuuk’s main access road while elderly voters braved icy pathways to exercise their democratic right. With much at stake, the Greenlandic people rose to meet the moment, casting their votes in an election seen as critical for the future direction of their nation.