In 2018, a colleague and I, along with a group of Greenlandic analysis assistants, carried out one of the vital complete surveys thus far on public opinion in Greenland. We travelled to 13 randomly chosen cities and settlements throughout the island nation, conducting in-person interviews with a consultant pattern of grownup residents.
The survey explored a variety of matters. We requested for views on local weather change, financial issues – and the prospect of independence from Denmark. Till not too long ago, this was the newest ballot on what the folks of Greenland thought of this challenge.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, is at the moment an autonomous territory inside the Kingdom of Denmark. This political association grants Greenland intensive self-rule, together with management over most home affairs, in addition to its personal prime minister and parliament. Nonetheless, Denmark retains authority over international coverage, defence and financial coverage.
Whereas our survey outcomes have been lined in Greenlandic and Danish media upon their launch, they acquired scant worldwide consideration. This modified abruptly on January 15, when newly re-elected US president Donald Trump reposted an outdated information article about our outcomes. The headline acknowledged that two-thirds of Greenlandic residents assist independence.
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Trump didn’t add a remark within the put up however the insinuation was clear given his latest statements about annexing Greenland from Denmark: Greenlandic residents need independence from Denmark, and due to this fact, they may be open to different political or financial preparations with the US.
“I believe we’re going to have it,” Trump not too long ago stated after a telephone name with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who informed him the land was “not on the market”. Trump has up to now spoken of by some means “buying” Greenland however has since moved on in the direction of talking in additional assertive phrases about taking management of the territory.
Again in 2018, after we carried out the survey, Trump had not but revealed any plans to annex the island nation. It was a situation we might hardly even have imagined and due to this fact didn’t ask our individuals about. As such, no matter how Trump framed them, the survey outcomes by no means indicated that the inhabitants harboured a need to hitch the US.
The truth is, a latest survey carried out by Sermitsiaq (a Greenlandic newspaper) and Berlingske (a Danish newspaper) straight addressed this query and located that solely 6% of respondents needed Greenland to depart Denmark and as an alternative change into a part of the US.
Within the research I printed primarily based on the 2018 information assortment, I reported {that a} majority of the Greenlandic inhabitants aspired to independence. Two-thirds of the individuals thought that “Greenland ought to change into an impartial nation sooner or later sooner or later”.
Opinions have been extra divergent relating to the timing of independence. When requested how they might vote in an independence referendum if it have been held at this time, respondents who acknowledged a choice have been evenly break up between “sure” and “no” to independence.
EPA
The Act on Greenland Self-Authorities, handed in 2009, grants the Greenlandic authorities the authorized authority to unilaterally name a referendum on separating from the political union with Denmark. In accordance with the legislation, “the choice relating to Greenland’s independence shall be taken by the folks of Greenland”.
Through the 15 years since its passage, the choice to name a referendum has not been exercised. That is probably because of the potential financial penalties of leaving the union with Denmark.
Every year, Denmark sends a block grant that covers roughly half of Greenland’s funds. This helps a welfare system that’s extra intensive than what is obtainable to most Individuals. As well as, Denmark administers many expensive public companies, together with nationwide defence.
This backdrop presents a dilemma for a lot of Greenlanders who aspire to independence, as they weigh welfare issues towards political sovereignty. This was additionally evident from my research, which revealed that financial issues affect independence preferences.
For a lot of Greenlanders, the island nation’s wealthy pure sources current a possible bridge between financial self-sufficiency and full sovereignty. Overseas investments and the related tax revenues from useful resource extraction are seen as key to decreasing financial dependence on Denmark. Presumably, these pure sources, which embrace uncommon earths and different strategic minerals, additionally assist clarify Trump’s curiosity in Greenland.
As Greenland’s future is more likely to stay on the centre of a geopolitical energy battle for a while, it’s essential to keep in mind that solely Greenlanders have the fitting to find out their very own path. What scarce info is obtainable on their views means that whereas many aspire to independence, it’s not pushed by a need to hitch the US.
