NUUK, Greenland — Polling stations closed in Greenland on Tuesday during a parliamentary election that gained international attention following U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire the mineral-rich island, sparking a discussion about its independence.
Voting was extended by half an hour past the 2200 GMT deadline due to high turnout at several of the 72 polling stations across the Arctic island, where 40,500 residents were eligible to vote.
There were no exit polls, and according to Greenland’s election authority, the final vote tally could take between three and five hours to complete.
Since taking office in January, Trump has expressed interest in making Greenland — a semiautonomous territory of Denmark — part of the United States, citing its importance to U.S. security interests.
The vast island, home to 57,000 people, is at the center of a geopolitical competition for dominance in the Arctic, where melting ice caps are rendering its resources more accessible and creating new shipping routes. Both Russia and China have increased military activity in the region.
Greenland, a former Danish colony since 1953, gained some autonomy in 1979 with the establishment of its first parliament. However, Copenhagen continues to control foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy, providing nearly $1 billion annually to support the economy.
In 2009, Greenland achieved the right to declare full independence through a referendum, but concerns about declining living standards without Denmark’s economic backing have prevented this.
Qupanuk Olsen, a candidate for the main pro-independence party Naleraq, stated, “I strongly believe that we will soon begin to live a life more based on who we are, rooted in our culture and language, and start to create regulations that reflect our identity, not Denmark’s.”
Inge Olsvig Brandt, a candidate for the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit Party, expressed caution, saying, “We don’t need independence right now. There are too many issues we need to address. We must focus on our history before we can take the next step.”
Trump’s interest has disrupted the status quo and, combined with the increasing pride of Indigenous people in their Inuit culture, has made independence a central issue in the election.
During the final debate on Greenland’s state broadcaster KNR late on Monday, leaders of the five parties in parliament unanimously expressed distrust towards Trump. “He is trying to influence us. I understand if citizens feel insecure,” remarked Erik Jensen, leader of the government coalition partner Siumut.
A January poll indicated that a majority of Greenland’s residents support independence, although opinions on timing vary.
Initially, the election campaign focused on frustration over historical injustices committed by Denmark, according to Julie Rademacher, a consultant and former adviser to Greenland’s government. She noted, “The fear of U.S. imperialism has grown larger than the anger towards Denmark.”
Reuters spoke to over a dozen Greenlanders in Nuuk, all of whom favored independence. However, many worried that a swift transition could harm the economy and jeopardize Nordic welfare services such as universal healthcare and free education.
The island is rich in natural resources, including critical minerals like rare earths used in high-tech industries, from electric vehicles to missile systems. However, Greenland has been slow to extract these resources due to environmental concerns, severe weather, and China’s near-total dominance in the sector, which complicates profitability for other companies.
Initially, Trump did not dismiss the possibility of using military force, alarming many Greenlanders, but later softened his stance, claiming he would respect the wishes of the local people and was “ready to invest billions of dollars” if they agreed to join the U.S.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, emphasized that the island is not for sale and called for a broad coalition government to withstand external pressures. In an interview aired on Monday by Danish broadcaster DR, he labeled Trump’s offer as disrespectful and expressed willingness to collaborate with other nations instead.
Denmark’s Prime Minister reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, asserting that the decision about its future lies with the local people.
The pro-independence Naleraq Party, the leading opposition force, has gained traction ahead of the election, fueled by U.S. interest and recent allegations of Denmark’s historical exploitation of Greenland’s mineral wealth. The party believes that U.S. attention strengthens Greenland’s position in potential secession negotiations with Denmark and aims to bring a deal with Copenhagen to a vote before the next election in four years.
