Following the words of US President Donald Trump, “one way or another, we will take Greenland,” attention has turned to the general elections to be held on the island tomorrow. So why is Greenland, with only 57,000 inhabitants, important for the United States? Will the people of this autonomous region, which is affiliated with Denmark, shift their focus towards independence or towards the US?

After US President Donald Trump’s remarks about “having Greenland,” the general elections on the island have become a global topic for the first time in history. Greenland, which has been under the Kingdom of Denmark for over 600 years, holds a semi-autonomous overseas territory status. According to the Danish constitution, there is also the right to declare independence through a referendum.

US MILITARY PRESENCE While Greenland has its own parliament, strategic decisions regarding foreign affairs, monetary policy, and defense remain under the control of Denmark. The US military maintains a permanent presence of soldiers at the Pituffik military base in northwest Greenland. The Washington administration aims to increase its military presence on the island.

DECISIVE GENERAL ELECTIONS In response to President Trump’s recent statement during a joint session of Congress, saying “we will have Greenland one way or another,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede replied on social media, “We are not for sale, Greenland is ours.” The outcome of the general elections could be crucial for the future of the island. Greenland’s parliament has only 31 members, who will be elected from six political parties, two of which are in the ruling coalition. According to polls, it is likely that the ruling “Inuit Ataqatigiit” party will continue its coalition with the Simiut party, which promises an independence referendum. The people of the island express their desire for independence.

BOTH AN EU AND NATO MEMBER Greenland, which sustains its economy with a $560 million annual grant from Denmark, is a member of both the EU and NATO. Its strategic location in the Arctic, as well as valuable minerals and billions of barrels of oil reserves, make the island attractive to global powers.

Of the 34 rare elements such as lithium and graphite, 25 are found in Greenland. This is why global powers, especially the US, have set their sights on this region. As the outcome of the election is eagerly anticipated, changing Greenland’s legal status would also require amendments to the Danish constitution.