Greenland’s pro-business Demokraatit opposition party has won the parliamentary elections with 29.9 per cent of the vote. The election attracted international spotlight after US President Donald Trump proposed taking control of the territory. It also raised concerns over its future security amid the U.S.-China-Russia competition for Arctic influence. All the dominant parties in Greenland, a Danish autonomous region rich in oil and gas, agree on the desire for independence from Denmark.

 

Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953 when the island achieved greater powers of self-governance. It gained more powers in terms of minerals, policing and courts of law in 2009. However, Denmark still controls security, defense, foreign and monetary policy. Greenland also benefits from Denmark’s European Union and NATO memberships. Greenland holds elections every four years, with 31 seats in parliament at stake. With yesterday’s results, the previous two-party coalition of Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Siumut party is expected to lose their parliamentary majority.