NUUK, Greenland (AP) — The center-right Demokraatit Party won the most votes in a surprising result in Greenland’s parliamentary elections, held in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated goal of taking control of the island one way or another.
Both Demokraatit, or the Democrats, and the second-place finisher Naleraq, or Point of Orientation, favor Greenland’s independence from Denmark but differ on the pace of change.
Demokraatit won 30% of the vote, compared to just 9% in the election four years ago, Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation KNR TV reported.
Naleraq came in second with almost 25% of the vote. In the 2021 election, they received just under 12%, according to KNR TV.
Demokraatit’s upset victory over parties that have governed the territory for years indicated many in Greenland care just as much about health care, education, cultural heritage and other social policies.