Greenland’s voters have unexpectedly picked a party backing a slower approach to independence in a general election overshadowed by Donald Trump’s plans to take over the Arctic Island.
The social liberal Demokraatit party emerged as the biggest with 29.9 per cent of the ballots as counting was completed, adding more than 20 percentage points from four years ago, according to the tally published by the government on Wednesday.
Naleraq, the party seeking the fastest break-up with Denmark, finished second, underscoring how split the population is on the topic. The group, which had led the count early on, came out with 24.5 per cent of the votes – up from 12 per cent in the prior election.
It was expected that Demokraatit, which sees independence as a longer-term goal, would start coalition negotiations to form a governing majority in the coming days.
“There is a need for unity, so we will enter into negotiations with everyone,” party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said during the election night coverage on local broadcaster KNR. “Greenland needs to stand together in a time of great interest from the outside.”