Greenland’s voters have chosen a slow approach to independence from Denmark after the opposition Demokraatit party won Tuesday’s parliamentary election.
The campaign was dominated by US President Donald Trump’s pledge to take control of the vast Arctic island, home to some 57,000 people, and a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Demokraatit, a centre-right, pro-business group took 29.9% of the votes with all ballots counted, with another opposition party, Naleraq, which favours rapid independence, second on 24.5%.
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Demokraatit’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen told reporters in the capital, Nuuk: “People want change… We want more business to finance our welfare. We don’t want independence tomorrow, we want a good foundation.”
Mr Nielsen will now hold talks with other parties to try to form a governing coalition.
The ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party and its partner Siumut, which also seek a slow path towards independence, won 36% of the votes combined, down from 66.1% in 2021.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said on Facebook Inuit Ataqatigiit “respect the election outcome,” and would listen to any proposals in upcoming coalition talks.
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Since taking office in January, Mr Trump has vowed to make Greenland part of the United States, saying it is vital to US security interests, an idea rejected by most Greenlanders.
He initially declined to rule out military force to take control of the territory, although he later rowed that back and said he was “ready to invest billions of dollars” if they joined the US.
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Greenland has become caught up in a geopolitical race for control of the Arctic.
As global warming raises sea temperatures and melts ice caps, the region’s resources are becoming more accessible and new shipping routes have been opened.
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Both Russia and China have intensified military activity in the region.
The island holds substantial natural resources, including critical minerals such as rare earths used in high-tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.
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Greenland is a former Danish colony and has been a territory since 1953.
Copenhagen still controls foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy and provides just under $1 billion (£773,186) a year to the economy.
In 2009, it won the right to declare full independence through a referendum, even though it has not done so out of concern that living standards would drop without Denmark’s economic support.
