Greenland's center-right party, known for rejecting Trump's purchase proposal, wins election
Greenland's center-right Demokraatit party, known for rejecting US President Trump's proposal to purchase the semi-autonomous island, has won a surprise general election victory.
The Arctic island’s pro-business opposition party won the parliamentary election on Tuesday, with preliminary official results showing that it managed to secure 29.9 percent of the vote, ending the ruling coalition of left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit and center-left Siumut parties.
“Greenland needs us to stand together in a time of great interest from outside. There is a need for unity, so we will enter into negotiations with everyone,” party leader Jens Frederik Nielsen told local media after the near-complete results were announced.
About 44,000 of Greenland's 57,000 residents were eligible to vote for 31 lawmakers and the local government, with six parties on the ballot and voting held at 72 polling stations across the vast island.
Five of the six main parties support independence but they differ on how quickly it should be achieved.
The Demokraatit party, which favors for a slower approach to independence from Denmark, will now have to negotiate with other parties in order to form a coalition.
Greenland, the world's largest island between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, has been under Denmark's control for around 300 years, governing its own domestic affairs while foreign and defense policy decisions are made in Copenhagen.
The victorious party had earlier stressed that Greenland was “not for sale” in response to Trump’s pledge to take over the territory.
Greenland's strategic location and untapped mineral resources caught Trump’s eye during his first term in 2019 when he first suggested buying the island, an idea he has reiterated since taking office again in January.
“We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other we’re gonna get it,” the American president said during his address to the US Congress last week.
Greenland and Denmark's leaders have repeatedly rebuffed Trump’s demands, with Prime Minister Mute B Egede of Inuit Ataqatigiit stressing that Greenland deserves to be “treated with respect.”
Ukraine says talks with US start ‘very constructively’ in Jeddah
Russia launches attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Report: US intelligence ban renders UK missiles useless for Ukraine
UK firm on supplying F-35 parts to Israel despite Gaza aid blockade: Minister
Iran condemns Israel’s halt to food delivery, electricity supply to Gaza
Hamas hails Yemen's resumption of anti-Israel naval operation
Infowars reporter killed days after network reported on Mossad-Epstein links
Greenland's center-right party wins election amid Trump control offer
No enemy can defeat us if we commit to our martyrs’ ideals: Pezeshkian
US seeks to weaponize UN Security Council to step up econ. warfare against Iran: Envoy
Israel has divided southern Syria to exercise control over it: Report
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
