Greenland went to the polls on Tuesday in an election that could set a course for independence from Denmark—amid a bizarre and persistent campaign from former US President Donald Trump to acquire the vast Arctic island.
Trump, who has made no secret of his desire to claim Greenland “one way or another,” attempted to sway voters until the last moment, sparking outrage, intrigue, and a flicker of enthusiasm among the island’s 57,000 residents.
A nation in the eye of the storm
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede captured the gravity of the moment in a Facebook video just hours before voting began. “Our country is in the eye of the storm,” he declared. “The world is watching us closely, and we have seen how much they are trying to influence our nation.”
Polling stations opened at 9 am local time, with voters selecting the 31-seat Inatsisartut parliament. The stakes extend beyond local concerns like healthcare and education—this election is, at its core, about Greenland’s future: self-rule or continued reliance on Denmark.
Independence: Now or later?
All major political parties favor breaking free from Danish rule, but they remain divided on the timing. The nationalist Naleraq party pushes for swift independence, while the ruling coalition—Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and social democratic Siumut—advocates patience, waiting until Greenland is financially self-sufficient.
Currently, Greenland depends on fishing exports and an annual Danish subsidy exceeding $565 million—about a fifth of its GDP. The promise of economic independence lies beneath Greenland’s icy surface, in its untapped mineral reserves, including rare earth elements vital for global technology. Yet mining ventures remain stifled by extreme weather and lack of infrastructure.
Trump’s last-minute pitch
Trump’s obsession with Greenland is no secret. He first floated the idea of buying the island during his presidency, only to be swiftly rebuffed. Now, back in the political arena, his ambitions have escalated—this time, with thinly veiled threats.
On Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social, inviting Greenlanders to “be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America.” He dangled the promise of wealth, fueling speculation about whether the US would push beyond persuasion.
For most Greenlanders, the answer was clear. A January poll found 85% opposed to Trump’s overtures. “We don’t want to be American. He is so arrogant,” said ship repairman Rene Olsen, 58.
Trump’s gamble backfires?
Rather than swaying the vote, Trump’s remarks may have hardened positions. The nationalist Naleraq party sees his meddling as leverage in negotiations with Denmark. Others, fearing US interference, now view ties with Copenhagen as the lesser evil.
Political analyst Ulrik Pram Gad argues that Trump’s involvement has only intensified divisions. “It reinforces each side’s convictions,” he told AFP. “But as we’ve seen in Germany, where Trump ally Elon Musk has backed the far-right AfD, it rarely plays out in their favor.”
As Greenland’s election results roll in, one thing is certain—Trump’s shadow looms large over the Arctic, but whether it changes the island’s fate remains to be seen.