Greenland’s center-right Democrats are poised to oust the ruling left-wing coalition after a strong showing in Tuesday’s election, while a pro-U.S. party celebrated its best-ever performance.
The pro-business Democrats more than tripled their vote share from 2021, securing around 30% with 70% of ballots counted. While they support Greenland’s independence, they advocate for a slow and measured approach, ensuring political and economic stability before cutting ties with Denmark.
Party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen made headlines for rejecting former U.S. President Donald Trump’s bid to buy Greenland, calling it a blatant threat to the island’s sovereignty.
Another major winner of the night was the centrist Naleraq party, which doubled its vote total from the last election. Unlike the Democrats’ cautious stance, Naleraq is pushing for an immediate referendum on full independence and favors forging closer ties with the U.S., possibly through a free association agreement.
Meanwhile, the governing left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit and center-left Siumut parties fell to third and fourth place, respectively. With no party winning an outright majority, coalition talks are on the horizon.
This election took place against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated claims about acquiring Greenland, which reignited debates over the island’s future. The geopolitical spotlight, combined with growing discussions about independence, drove voter turnout significantly higher than in 2021, local media reported.
With the Democrats taking the lead but the staunchly pro-U.S. Naleraq party gaining ground, Greenlanders appear split on how to shape their political future—whether to push for full independence immediately or take a more gradual path.
