In 2018, a colleague and I, in conjunction with a workforce of Greenlandic analysis assistants, performed one of the crucial complete surveys so far on public opinion in Greenland. We travelled to 13 randomly decided on cities and settlements around the island country, undertaking in-person interviews with a consultant pattern of grownup citizens.
The survey explored a variety of subjects. We requested for perspectives on local weather exchange, financial issues – and the chance of independence from Denmark. Till just lately, this used to be the most recent ballot on what the folks of Greenland considered this factor.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, is recently an self reliant territory throughout the Kingdom of Denmark. This political association grants Greenland in depth self-rule, together with regulate over maximum home affairs, in addition to its personal high minister and parliament. Then again, Denmark keeps authority over international coverage, defence and fiscal coverage.
Trump posting the 2018 ballot in 2025.
Fact Social
Trump didn’t upload a remark within the submit however the insinuation used to be transparent given his contemporary statements about annexing Greenland from Denmark: Greenlandic citizens need independence from Denmark, and due to this fact, they may well be open to different political or financial preparations with the USA.
“I think we’re going to have it,” Trump just lately mentioned after a telephone name with the Danish high minister, Mette Frederiksen, who informed him the land used to be “not for sale”. Trump has prior to now spoken of by hook or by crook “purchasing” Greenland however has since moved on in opposition to talking in additional assertive phrases about taking regulate of the territory.
Again in 2018, once we performed the survey, Trump had now not but printed any plans to annex the island country. It used to be a state of affairs shall we rarely also have imagined and due to this fact didn’t ask our contributors about. As such, irrespective of how Trump framed them, the survey ends up in no means indicated that the inhabitants harboured a need to sign up for the USA.
Within the learn about I printed in line with the 2018 information assortment, I reported {that a} majority of the Greenlandic inhabitants aspired to independence. Two-thirds of the contributors concept that “Greenland should become an independent country at some point in the future”.
Critiques have been extra divergent in regards to the timing of independence. When requested how they might vote in an independence referendum if it have been held nowadays, respondents who said a choice have been lightly break up between “yes” and “no” to independence.
‘I think we’re going to have it’.
EPA
The Act on Greenland Self-Govt, handed in 2009, grants the Greenlandic govt the criminal authority to unilaterally name a referendum on isolating from the political union with Denmark. In step with the legislation, “the decision regarding Greenland’s independence shall be taken by the people of Greenland”.
Throughout the 15 years since its passage, the method to name a referendum has now not been exercised. That is most probably because of the prospective financial penalties of leaving the union with Denmark.
Every yr, Denmark sends a block grant that covers roughly part of Greenland’s price range. This helps a welfare gadget this is extra in depth than what’s to be had to maximum American citizens. As well as, Denmark administers many pricey public services and products, together with nationwide defence.
This backdrop items a quandary for plenty of Greenlanders who aspire to independence, as they weigh welfare considerations towards political sovereignty. This used to be additionally glaring from my learn about, which printed that financial concerns affect independence personal tastes.
For lots of Greenlanders, the island country’s wealthy herbal sources provide a possible bridge between financial self-sufficiency and entire sovereignty. Overseas investments and the related tax revenues from useful resource extraction are noticed as key to decreasing financial dependence on Denmark. Probably, those herbal sources, which come with uncommon earths and different strategic minerals, additionally assist give an explanation for Trump’s passion in Greenland.
As Greenland’s long term is prone to stay on the centre of a geopolitical energy battle for a while, it is vital to keep in mind that handiest Greenlanders have the fitting to decide their very own trail. What scarce data is to be had on their perspectives means that whilst many aspire to independence, it isn’t pushed through a need to sign up for the USA.
