Greenland: Up For Sale?

Greenland votes tomorrow in almost certainly the most consequential election in the Arctic island’s history.
The Guardian says it's too close to call between Ataqatigiit the ruling socialist party and the centrist opposition party Naleraq.
Both parties want independence from the colonial power Denmark, but Naleraq are more conducive to future collaboration with the USA.
There is speculation that, whoever wins, a referendum will be inevitable during the next parliament.
Never before will elections in Greenland be so closely watched by the rest of the world!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...o-vote-amid-trump-inspired-existential-crisis
 
Kondoru said:
It would be a good trade. Surely this situation can be resolved peacefully?
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What's your definition of "peaceful"?

If the current US administration wishes to annexe Greenland it can and no one is going to stop it, it would be suicidal for Denmark and its allies to resist.
 
Interestingly enough, when Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the USA, they obtained the withdrawal of the US claims over Greenland. So today's trumpian claims would contradict a former US engagement (see the link below), unless the USA give back the Virgin Islands to Denmark.

It is true, however, that it wouldn't be the first betrayal from the current US administration ... They obviously don't care about their Nation's faithfulness and interests. I can't see how this kind of behaviour could benefit the USA on the long run. Who would be crazy enough to support a country invading its own allies (apart from its traditional enemies) ?

This wikipedia page alludes to this treaty (see end of chapter "1915–16 negotiations") : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_the_Danish_West_Indies
 
AmStramGram said:
Interestingly enough, when Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the USA, they obtained the withdrawal of the US claims over Greenland. So today's trumpian claims would contradict a former US engagement (see the link below), unless the USA give back the Virgin Islands to Denmark.

It is true, however, that it wouldn't be the first betrayal from the current US administration ... They obviously don't care about their Nation's faithfulness and interests. I can't see how this kind of behaviour could benefit the USA on the long run. Who would be crazy enough to support a country invading its own allies (apart from its traditional enemies) ?

This wikipedia page alludes to this treaty (see end of chapter "1915–16 negotiations") : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_the_Danish_West_Indies
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The US is, more or less, the most powerful nation on Earth: they can do as they please. I don't think these decisions are being made in the long term interests of the American nation in general
 
Given the small size of the Greenlandic electorate, we should get the results fairly soon.
Greenland though has a form of PR, so that the party with the most votes (or seats) doesn't necessarily form the next government. The real horse-trading between parties will start once the results are in.
Of the 5 main parties, 4 of them want independence from Denmark, so it looks like that's a given.
But only the Naleraq party seems to be pro-USA.
So where does that leave Greenland?
With the best will in the world, the island is never going to be agriculturally self-sufficient, so it's likely that Greenland will have to depend on external support for the foreseeable future. Denmark clearly hasn't delivered on their promises to improve the living standard of the Greenlanders, but the voters also seem to be wary of the USA's intentions.
 
So, if they want independence then where will they get money?

Its not like there is a big market for ice cubes...its a bit niches, isnt it?
 
As a complete aside.

...One of my Co Workers is a Middle Class Canadian, from BC. She is blonde haired and blue eyed and has two degrees.

She was introduced in her middle teens to her family history.

Her family are Metis, spent quite some time in quietly forgetting that aspect...and boy, does she milk the system as an oppressed native.

(She came to this country to study on such funding).

All is cool, and she speaks about that aspect to the public.

Guess which demographic (Who had her pegged as a European) decide she is...No, I wont trouble you with such terminology, Im sure you can think it up...

The good folk of Greenland should think on this.
 
And the results are in!

The ruling left wing Ataqatigiit party saw its vote halved and lost heavily to the centre-right "pro-business" Demokraatit party, which won the most votes at 29%, with Naleraq coming in 2nd at 24%.
Indepedence from Denmark now seems a certainty, but where this leaves Trump's plans is anyone's guess and will probably depend on the horse-trading to form a working coalition between parties over the next day or two.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...dence-ambitions-us-interest-looms-2025-03-11/
 
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As expected.

(Do Bears shit on the ice?)

But is this a new direction for them?
 
Ogdred Weary said:
The US is, more or less, the most powerful nation on Earth: they can do as they please. I don't think these decisions are being made in the long term interests of the American nation in general
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I do believe that decisions being made presently, and there are many, are in our best interests. We are not aware of everything going on behind the scenes, so let's wait and see. There are reasons, I would imagine.
 
Ronnie Jersey said:
I do believe that decisions being made presently, and there are many, are in our best interests. We are not aware of everything going on behind the scenes, so let's wait and see. There are reasons, I would imagine.
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Nice to see you back Ronnie!
These are indeed momentous times and, give it another 10 years, I wonder what we'll think looking back.
 
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