Greenland’s central right opposition won an astounding general election victory with votes that ruled independence and the pledge of US President Donald Trump to take over semi-autonomous territory.
The central right Demokraatit party, which supports a gradual approach to independence from Denmark, has achieved around 30% of the vote, the BBC reported.
“Greenland needs to stand together in an age where we are very interested in the outside world,” party leader Frederick Nielsen told local media. “We negotiate with everyone because we need unity.”
His party must negotiate with other parties to form a coalition.
Greenland – the world’s largest island between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans – has been ruled by approximately 3,000 km (1,860 miles) of Denmark for about 300 years.
While Greenland governs its own domestic issues, decisions on foreign and defence policies will be made in Copenhagen.
Five of the six major parties in the election support independence from Copenhagen, but oppose the pace at which they reach it.
Democrats, whose votes rose by more than 20% in 2021, are considered a moderate party on independence.
Another opposition party, Narerak, wants to start the independence process soon and develop close ties with the US, but came in second place with almost a quarter of the vote.
The two current governing parties, Inuit Atakatigit (IA) and Siumut, are heading for third and fourth place.
Around 44,000 Greenlanders of a population of 57,000 were eligible to vote to elect local and local governments. Six political parties were taking part in the vote.
The votes took place at 72 polling stations scattered across the vast island.
Greenland’s strategic location and undeveloped mineral resources caught Trump’s eye. He first came up with the idea of buying the island for his first term in 2019.
Since re-inaugurated his office in January, Trump has reiterated his intention to acquire territory.