Covered by Trump, Greenlanda celebrates elections with independence on the horizon

Object of desire of US President Donald TrumpGreenland celebrates local legislative elections on Tuesday that can define a calendar towards independence loved by the majority of the population of this Danish territory.

Covering 80% ice, this huge arctic island of 57,000 inhabitants, almost 90% of them Inuit, has hydrocarbons and important minerals for the energy transition that arouse Trump’s greed.

The Republican, convinced to be able to do “in one way or another“With this Danish autonomous territory, she has tried to influence until the last minute in these elections to renew the 31 deputies of Inatsisartut, the local Parliament.

The insistence, sometimes threatening, causes stupefaction, rejection and, sometimes, enthusiasm among the inhabitants of this island.

Trump “It puts Greenland in the heart of international relations and everyone is interested. In this sense, it’s fine”, Says Hans Kaali Davidsen under an icy rain.

“But Trump, seeing the way he manages his policy and his own country and the course that things take in the United States, no, we don’t want it”, Says this inhabitant of Nuuk, the capital of the territory.

Beyond the US president, electoral debates focused on health, education and relationship with Denmark, which retains the diplomatic, military or monetary competences of the Arctic Island.

Independence yes, but when?

Its inhabitants often feel treated as second -line citizens for the old Danish colonial power, of which all the main parties want to become independent.

However, the consensus is crazy in terms of the calendar: the main formation of the opposition, the nationalists of the Naleraq, wish it quickly; But the members of the outgoing local government coalition, the Ecologist Inuit Ataqatigiit (AI), literally Inuit community, and SIUMUT Social Democrats, condition it to economic progress.

Currently, the territory depends economically on fishing, which represents almost all its exports, and the annual aid of about 530 million euros (US $ 575 million) supplied by Copenhagen, which represents 20% of the local GDP.

The most impatient independence considers that Greenland will be self -sufficient with the exploitation of their mineral resources, especially rare earths.

However, their reserves are modest worldwide and the mining sector is very embryonic, undermined by the high exploitation costs caused by the hostile climate and the lack of infrastructure.

After launching in his first term the idea of ​​buying the island, rejected by the Danish and Greenlands authorities, Trump returned to the load in recent months.

Without ruling out the use of force, the Republican tycoon reiterates again and again his desire to get this territory considered important for US security against Russia and China.

On the night of Sunday to Monday, at the beginning of the vote, Trump promised again in his social network social security and prosperity to the Greenlandes who wish to “be part of the largest nation in the world”

“We don’t want to be Americans”

However, according to a survey published in January, 85% of Greenlanders reject this option.

“Let Trump be screwed! We don’t want to be Americans. He is so arrogant”Said Rene Olsen, 58 -year -old shipping employee.

The outgoing prime minister of the territory, Mute Egede del AI, asked Trump to respect and regretted his character “Very unpredictable“Make the”people feel insecure”

Instead, Naleraq opponent nationalists see in the owner of the White House a possible support before negotiating with Denmark.

“Trump’s message is positive because it offers a safer and more stable framework for the independence movement”Juno Berthelsen, party leader, told AFP.

“We need the United States for our national security and vice versa“He added.

But in some cases, Trump’s comments cool the independence ardor and reinforce ties with Copenhagen.

Kornelia Ane Rungholm, a municipal official of the people of Qaqortq, admits that he no longer wants “Independence because Trump will seize us immediately. ”

However, analysts consider that the interference of the Republican will not greatly influence the electoral result, although it contributes to polarize the debate and reinforce each one in their convictions.