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Kuupik Kleist: Greenland will be an independent, rich and fair country in 2050
31/10/2011
Greenlandic first minister foresees that the exploitation of natural resources and educational improvement of the population will be the key to guarantee the new country's sustainability · Inuit leader thinks that also Faroe Islands will reach full sovereignty during the same period of time · Greenlandic pro-independence parties have shown strength in recent elections
In mid-21st century, Greenland will be a prosperous, socially fair and politically independent country. At least, this is what thinks Greenlandic first minister Kuupik Kleist, who spoke before his government two weeks ago on the issue. According to Nunatsiaq Online, Greenlandic will not be the only new independent country in the region: Kleist foresees that also Faroe Islands will reach full sovereignty. The two island nations will join Denmark in a new "community" based on "solidarity" and on their "strong historical ties".
According to Kleist's vision, Greenland will be a "rich society", strongly united and with an equal distribution on wealth. In order to achieve that scenario, nothing new under the sun: Greenland will exploit its enormous mineral and oil resources. At the same time, the island nation will improve the educational level of its population so that the country is effectively connected to global society, even attracting "foreign specialists in certain industries".
Kleist is a member of the majority Inuit community in Greeland. The prime minister is actively campaigning for independence. At the beginning of 2011, Kleist said that full sovereignty for his country was "every day coming closer" and that, in a relatively short period of time, Greenland could overcome its economic dependency on Denmark.
Pro-independence parties in good electoral shape
Kleist is a member of Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), the main pro-independence left party of the Arctic island. IA won a historic victory in 2009 Greenlandic election, with 43,7% of the vote and 14 MPs out of 31. The second place was for another pro-independence party, Siumut, which got 9 MPs. In last month Danish election, IA confirmed its popular support when they got 42.7% of the Greenlandic vote and one MP in the Danish Parliament. The other Greenlandic MP also belongs to the other pro-independence party, Siumut.
Greenland/Kalaallit Nunaat
General information
Population: 57.564 inhabitants (2007)
Area: 2.166.086 km²
Institutions: Government and Parliament of Greenland
State administration: Denmark
Major cities: Nuuk
Territorial language: Greenlandic language (also known as Kalaallisut)
Official language: Greenlandic language and Danish
National Day: 21 June
Major religion: Christianity (Protestantism)
