Greenland has given another boost to its self-determination process. Seven months ago the majority of Greenlanders gave their support to a new statute of self-government that granted the right to self-determination, the recognition of Greenlanders as a people, the right to their natural resources and official status for the Greenlandic language; yesterday, this Arctic people opened the door to a government change as people elected Kuupik Kleistel by majority, the leftist pro-independence candidate belonging to Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA, People’s Community).

IA party, which has been in the opposition until yesterday’s elections, has seen its support grow considerably, obtaining 14 seats compared to the 9 it gained in last elections. IA won 44% of the vote, far from the 26% and 9 seats Suimut–the social democrat party in power for the last 30 years– obtained. Other parties with seats in the Landsting, the Parliament of Greenland, are Demokraati (Democrats, with 4 seats), Atassut (liberals, currently in a government coalition with Suimut, with 3 seats) and Kandidatforbundet, with only1 seat.

It is particularly worth mentioning the fact that independence supporters have won the elections only two weeks before the statute passed on November 25 comes into force. The statute grants the transfer of almost all powers –except for citizenship, administration of justice, defence, monetary policy and foreign affairs– to the Arctic island, thus coming closer to a de facto independence. By virtue of such statute, though, Greenland will freely profit from its subsoil natural resources –especially gas and oil– in exchange for Denmark’s cut off of financial compensations.

Before the results were made public, The Copenhaguen Postreported that the elections would “determine which political path will be taken when self-government comes into force”. During the election campaign IA candidates said they would not form government coalition with Suimut even if they were offered the prime minister office, thus making clear their expectations of becoming the most voted party in Parliament. Since a similar stance was also made by the Democrats, it is impossible for any coalition to threat pro-independence hegemony in the legislative assembly.

Further information:

• Sermitsiaq: Her er dit nye Landsting
• BBC: Opposition win Greenland election
• Nationalia:Greenland votes for ample autonomy and moves towards independence

See the dossier Peoples and nations today: Greenland for further information.