Greenland faces 'fateful choice' says island's PM as is prepares for elections

11/3/2025 13:11

Greenland will vote in a general election on Tuesday seen by some locals as a historic chance to free themselves from Danish rule at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to invest billions of dollars if they join the United States.



The election to the 31-seat Inatsisartut parliament could potentially enhance U.S. influence in Greenland, a sparsely- populated island in the eye of a geopolitical race for dominance in the Arctic, as global warming melts the icecaps making its resources more accessible and opening up new shipping routes.



China and Russia have intensified military activity in the region, with the United States striving to keep pace.



Greenland, a Danish territory since 1953, is three times the size of Texas but with a population of 57,000. The island gained some autonomy in 1979 when its first parliament was formed, but Copenhagen controls foreign affairs, defence and monetary policy and provides just under $1 billion a year to the economy.

The local government gained more autonomy in 2009, including the right to declare full independence through a referendum, though has not done so on concern living standards would drop without Denmark's economic support.



The island holds substantial natural resources, including critical minerals such as rare earths used in high-tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.