Latest news with #Inatsisartut
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greenland's new government takes office as Trump watches on
Greenland's newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, officially took office on Monday in the capital Nuuk. Among the most urgent challenges facing the administration is growing pressure from the United States, with President Donald Trump consistently stating that the large Arctic island should be controlled by the US not Denmark. As anticipated, the Inatsisartut parliament confirmed Nielsen and his nine-member Cabinet - formed from a four-party coalition - with a broad majority. Nielsen, 33, leads the centre-right Demokraatit (Democrats), which won Greenland's parliamentary elections four weeks ago. He succeeds left-wing prime minister Múte B. Egede, who now takes on the finance and tax portfolio within the new coalition. At the end of March, Nielsen signed an agreement with leaders from three of the four other parliamentary parties. Together, the alliance controls just under 75% of the seats in the 31-member Inatsisartut. Trump still looms large It has never been more important for Greenland to stand together, Nielsen said after being confirmed. Trump has cited national and international security concerns as reasons for wanting to acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Both Egede and Nielsen have firmly rejected the idea. Greenland - the world's largest island - is four-fifths covered in ice and home to just under 57,000 people. During a visit to Greenland last week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back strongly against Trump's remarks. "You cannot annex another country, not even with an argument about international security," she said. She added that the US and Denmark were close friends and there was nothing she wanted more than for their friendship to continue.
Los Angeles Times
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Danish foreign minister rebukes Trump administration for criticism of Denmark and Greenland
NUUK, Greenland — The Danish foreign minister Saturday scolded the Trump administration for its 'tone' in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his country is already investing more into Arctic security and remains open to more cooperation with the U.S. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen made the remarks in a video posted to social media after Vice President JD Vance's visit Friday to the strategic island. 'Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism,' Rasmussen said, in English. 'But let me be completely honest: We do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.' Vance on Friday said Denmark has 'underinvested' in Greenland's security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as President Trump pushes to take over the autonomous Danish territory. Vance visited American troops at the U.S. Pituffik Space Base on mineral-rich Greenland alongside his wife and other senior U.S. officials for a trip that was ultimately scaled back after an uproar among Greenlanders and Danes, who were not consulted about the original itinerary. 'Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,' Vance said Friday. 'You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.' Trump on Friday released a video on his social networking site titled 'America Stands With Greenland,' showing footage of U.S. troops there during World War II. In Greenland, Vance said the U.S. has 'no option' but to take a significant position to ensure the security of the island as he encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark. 'I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,' Vance said. 'We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they'd fare a lot better economically as well.' The reaction by members of Greenland's parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration's attempts to annex the vast Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back on Vance's claim that Denmark isn't doing enough for defense in the Arctic, calling her country 'a good and strong ally.' And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday agreed to form a new government, banding together to resist Trump's overtures. Four of the five parties elected to Greenland's parliament this month have agreed to form a coalition that will have 23 of 31 seats in the legislature, known as the Inatsisartut. The next day, Danish King Frederik X posted on Facebook: 'We live in an altered reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the people of Greenland are intact.' Hundreds of protesters demonstrated Saturday outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, with some lifting signs saying, 'Back off, USA,' Danish broadcaster TV2 reported. Even Greenland's national dogsled race — Avannaata Qimussersu — which kicked off Saturday with some 37 mushers and 444 dogs, was drawn into the feud. Usha Vance, the vice president's wife, who was originally scheduled to attend the race, opted out when her husband decided to join the trip and visit the military base instead, reducing the likelihood that they would cross paths with protesting Greenlanders. Lokke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers of the 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. Since 1945, the American military presence in Greenland has decreased from thousands of soldiers over 17 bases and installations on the island, he said, to the remote Pituffik Space Base in the northwest with some 200 soldiers today. The 1951 agreement 'offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,' the foreign minister said. 'If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it.' Lokke Rasmussen added that Denmark has increased its own investment into Arctic defense. In January, Denmark announced $2.1 billion in financial commitments for Arctic security covering three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites. Crowther, Grieshaber and Madhani write for the Associated Press. Grieshaber reported from Berlin and Madhani from Washington. AP writer Stefanie Dazio in Berlin contributed to this report.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greenland's politicians unite against Trump
Greenland's leading political parties have issued a joint statement to condemn Donald Trump's "unacceptable behaviour", after the US president seemed to escalate his campaign to take over the island. The show of unity saw all leaders of parties in the Inatsisartut - the parliament - release a joint message saying they "cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland". It follows a meeting between Trump and Nato's secretary general Mark Rutte on Thursday, where the president seemed to double down on his annexation plan. Greenland's joint statement was orchestrated by outgoing Prime Minister Mute B Egede, whose party was defeated in an election on Tuesday. "Our country will never be the USA and we Greenlanders will never be Americans," Egede wrote on Facebook. "Don't keep treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough." Greenland - the world's biggest island, between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans - has been controlled by Denmark, nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away, for about 300 years. Greenland governs its own domestic affairs, but decisions on foreign and defence policy are made in Copenhagen. The US has long had a security interest in the island. It has had a military base there since World War Two, and Trump is probably also keen on the rare earth minerals that could be mined. Why does Trump want Greenland and what do its people think? BBC InDepth: Greenland's dark history - and does it want Trump? Greenland was already on the defensive about Trump's annexing talk, but his comments to Rutte at the White House sent further shockwaves when he implied that Nato's help might be needed to seize the island. "You know, Mark, we need that for international security... we have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful," Trump said. "We'll be talking to you," he added. When asked about the prospect of annexation, Trump said: "I think that will happen." Rutte has been criticised in both Greenland and Denmark for not reprimanding Trump. Instead, he said he would "leave that [issue] outside... I do not want to drag Nato into that". He then pivoted to praise - something several world leaders have used when dealing with Donald Trump - saying he was "totally right" to see security in the Arctic maintained. The joint statement from Greenland's politicians emphasised that they are united in their pushback against Trump's plan. "Greenland continues the work for Greenland," the statement said. "We all stand behind this effort and strongly distance ourselves from attempts to create discord." Their decision to speak out came three days after elections in which the centre-right opposition - the Democratic Party - won a surprise victory. Its leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is likely to be Greenland's new prime minister, is now negotiating with other parties to form a coalition.
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Trump-Greenland row: Politicians unite against Trump's 'unacceptable behaviour'
Greenland's leading political parties have issued a joint statement to condemn Donald Trump's "unacceptable behaviour", after the US president seemed to escalate his campaign to take over the rare show of unity saw all leaders of parties in the Inatsisartut - the parliament - release a joint message saying they "cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland".It follows a meeting between Trump and Nato's secretary general Mark Rutte on Thursday, where the president seemed to double down on his annexation joint statement was orchestrated by outgoing Prime Minister Mute B Egede, whose party was defeated in an election on Tuesday. "Our country will never be the USA and we Greenlanders will never be Americans," Egede wrote on Facebook. "Don't keep treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough."Greenland - the world's biggest island, between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans - has been controlled by Denmark, nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away, for about 300 governs its own domestic affairs, but decisions on foreign and defence policy are made in US has long had a security interest in Greenland. It has had a military base there since World War Two, and Trump is probably also keen on the rare earth minerals that could be mined does Trump want Greenland and what do its people think?BBC InDepth: Greenland's dark history - and does it want Trump?Greenland was already on the defensive about Trump's annexing talk, but his comments to Rutte at the White House sent further shockwaves when he implied that Nato's help might be needed to seize the island."You know, Mark, we need that for international security... we have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful," Trump said."We'll be talking to you," he asked about the prospect of annexation, Trump said: "I think that will happen." Rutte has been criticised in both Greenland and Denmark for not reprimanding Trump. Instead, he said he would "leave that [issue] outside... I do not want to drag Nato into that".He then pivoted to praise - something several world leaders have used when dealing with Donald Trump - saying he was "totally right" to see security in the Arctic maintained. The joint statement from Greenland's politicians emphasised that they are united in their pushback against Trump's plan."Greenland continues the work for Greenland," the statement said."We all stand behind this effort and strongly distance ourselves from attempts to create discord."But the row comes at a time when Greenland's parliament is in a state of flux. The centre-right opposition - the Democratic Party - won a surprise general election victory on Tuesday. Its leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is likely to be Greenland's new prime minister, is now negotiating with other parties to form a coalition.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greenland must quickly form broad coalition to show unity in face of Trump pressure, Democrats say
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Greenland's political parties must set aside their disagreements and swiftly form a broad coalition government to show unity in the face of a U.S. campaign to annex the island, the Democrats said on Friday after winning this week's election. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of the pro-business party which favours gradual independence from Denmark, expressed the urgency of the situation in a Facebook post following an initial round of coalition discussions. "This is not the time for political tactics and internal disagreements. The situation for our country is far too serious for that," he said, adding, "When someone threatens us, looks down on us or speaks badly of us, we stand together." On Thursday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. needed control of Greenland to enhance international security, adding when asked directly about the prospect of annexation: "I think that will happen." The leaders of the five parties in Greenland's Inatsisartut parliament met on Friday to discuss a joint response to Trump's comments. The Democrats, who more than tripled their seats to 10 in the 31-seat chamber, has advocated for a responsible extraction of Greenland's vast but largely untapped mineral resources, as a means to develop its economy and welfare as the semi-autonomous territory transitions to full independence from Denmark. The strongly pro-independence Naleraq party came second in Tuesday's election, doubling its seats to eight.
