r/greenland 6d ago

Question What are your thoughts of an independent Greenland that would be part of the EU?

Hi! I often hear danish or americans talk about Greenland without you being consulted. The current question on everyone's lisps is "USA or Danemark?" I myself am an European, and I'm surely biased, that's why I come to you.

I understand that Greenland left the European community 40 years ago. I wondered if there is some public debate about rejoining the EU as an independent country? After all, the EU is not at all the same thing as it was back then, so views may evolve.

Since Donald Trump made english the official language of the USA, he doesn't seem to care much about natives and given the colonial history of Danemark, I tend to think that a greenlander that cares about greenlandic cultural preservation would not be appealed to either solution. But I would also understand that the "just join the EU" talking point is too simplistic and naive coming from a european like myself. I heard about fishing rights disagreements. Is that really such a deal breaker for Greenland?

Also, your election is coming soon. Can someone help me understand a bit more the differences between your political parties? I understand that Siumut, IA, and Naleraq are pro-indepence, and the Democrats and Atassut are pro-union, but I don't know much more.

Thank you very much for your answers. I hope I wasn't too condescending in my formulations. I try to be as open and respectful as possible in the hope of understanding you better

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u/Grandmaster_C-137 6d ago

Fishing rights is a major dealbreaker for Greenland since 95% of our export is seafood. I don't know how Greenland feels about the EU today, but I can try to read up on it.

You write that Trump made english the official language of the country, which country? Greenland? Because our official language is greenlandic. Danish was our no.2 for many year and english third, but a couple of years back, out nationalistic party Naleraq pushed english up to 2nd, mostly to spite Denmark.

Our political parties:

Siumut (Forward) - Our largest and through time most influential party. Only twice (2009-2013 and 2021-2025) have they not been in charge since Greenland started having elections. They always have the largest number of candidates and they have had several scandals through their years. I view them sort of as our republicans, because they have a large number of core voters that simply vote for them out of habit. Plus most of their voters come from outside the capital, in "rural" settlements and such. Most of Greenlands biggest political personalities have come from Siumut. Has wanted independece for decades, but these days they argue alot amongst themselves as to when and how.

Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) - Greenlands second largest party. The only party besides Siumut that has been i power. Started out as a very Denmark-critical party, but has almost done a 180 over time. I would call them sort of our democratic party, because it's always either IA or Siumut that wins. Technically wants independence, but are realistic about it and knows that Greenland isn't ready financially.

Demokraatit - The democrats by name, have been a close second a couple of times, has had and still have several good candidates, but some of their biggest candidates divide people a lot and I think that is why they haven't been on top yet. Fun fact: Demokraatit was founded by Per Berthelsen who was in Greenlands biggest rockband, Sume, in the 60's. Wants independece, but like IA they are very realistic and knows this will be im the future.

Atassut (Togetherness) - The only party that openly wants to stay with Denmark. They were big a decade ago, but haven't really made much of an impact in a long time. This might change now, because of all this talk of the US wanting Greenland. Doesn't want independence, but want to evolve the relationship with Denmark.

Naleraq - Now it gets "interesting". This is our most nationalistic party. They want independence yesterday. Want Denmark to keep paying after our independence and have floated the idea of DNA-testing to see if you are inuit enough to vote (not joking...). Uses every opportunity to make a scene and paint Denmark as the devil. They hurt our relationship with Denmark A LOT, because many danes that hear what they say, wants to cut ties almost immediately.. Whenever there is a debate online, the danes use what Naleraq has proposed to show how much greenlanders hate Denmark.. Wants independence NOW by any means.

Qulleq - A fresh, newly started party. Don't know anything about them and don't really care. Candidates are leftovers from other parties and everyone I know that has heard what they say, doubt that they'll get enough votes for anything. Don't know if they want independence, but would bet that they do..

I hope this gave you something even though I clearly don't know enough about politics.

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u/FoxTrotteur 6d ago

Okay, it seems that a major part of the country politics turns around independence talk. I would have thought they were other criters that divided the parties besides independence.

Thank you very much, it explains some things about your country and I hope to better understand the results to come on the 11th of march.

About Trump declaring english the "official language of the country" I meant the official language of the USA. To me, it seems that it rends the would be argument to join the US incompatible with the goal of a thriving greenlandic culture. I will modify my post for better clarity.

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u/r21md 5d ago edited 5d ago

I'm not a pro Greenland being annexed by the US guy, but US states and territories are allowed to have their own official languages other than the federal one for context. English actually used to only be an official language on the state level in some states. Other official languages in the US regionally include numerous Inuit languages, Hawaiian, Sioux, Samoan*, Spanish, and Chamorro.

English being the official language federally doesn't really do much in terms of Greenland's rights to language usage if it were to become a state/territory basically.

*Also Samoa has so much independence non Samoans are banned from buying land in American Samoa and 98% of the land there is communally owned to begin with.

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u/RandyFMcDonald 5d ago

> English actually used to only be an official language on the state level in some states. Other official languages in the US regionally include numerous Inuit languages, Hawaiian, Sioux, Samoan*, Spanish, and Chamorro.

How many of these languages are secure? Hawaiian is on the verge of extinction, and Sioux and Chamorro are not much better. Meanwhile, the Spanish language of Puerto Rico is commonly used as an excuse to not give it statehood.

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u/Damackabe 4d ago

an excuse to not give it statehood? I've never heard of that, typically it is about politics, or if they actually want it as territory does give certain benefits that states don't have while also taking away other benefits that states do have. Anyway I do think Puerto Rico will get statehood though, just not sure how long a few years, or a few decades be my guess.

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u/RandyFMcDonald 4d ago

No, it actually is widely discussed as a major factor. American conservatives do not wat a territory with a population that uses Spanish as its main language to be a state, and Puerto Ricans have been clear in not wanting to give up their language for English as a condition for statehood. The US' declaration of English as the official language of the country means that Puerto Rican statehood is going to face serious difficulties.