The air inside the community hall in the capital of Greenland was thick with heat, a welcoming unlike icy roads. As voters brushed ice with their coats, candidates from most major parties of Greenland sat in front of the room, ready for questions.
Each seat was filled, two dozen international journalists line the walls and proceeded to a man Mike in a black and gray sweater.
“Why is it still so difficult to run a small business?” He asked, his voice is stable but impatient.
The cameras clicked and similarly strap-on spikes that many journalists wore to avoid slipping on ice on their shoes.
The moderator said, “You need to take them off.” “They are ruining the floor.”
With some grudge, spikes were closed.
On Tuesday, Greenlanders will cast their votes that what the island has seen the most closely has been held in this island, as President Trump repeatedly said that he wants the United States to take over Greenland. He has refused to rule with force, and in his recent speech for the Congress, he argued himself for Greenlanders, “We will make you rich.” Whatever attention he has paid, he has prepared a wave of journalists, diplomats, social media affected and investors for Arctic.
Greenland’s leading political parties are presenting different philosophy for the future and some are emphasizing for a new relationship with the United States and quick freedom from Denmark, which collects Greenland hundreds of years ago and still controls some of its cases.
But for many of the 56,000 inhabitants of Greenland – a small population on the world’s largest island – the geo -politics is not a priority. Recently, in the Town Hall debate and interview with voters, Greenlanders expressed a lot of prosecution concern, often about living costs, unemployment, schools and health care.
“The election is shaped which I would call a ‘cross-trace’-stretching the competitive stories in different directions,” said Rasamsandander, a political scientist at Ilisimatasurfic University in the capital Nuuuk, Nielson. “Geophysical debate may dominate the headlines, but for the average voter, daily life matters more.”
President Trump during his first term swam the United States idea to buy Greenland from Denmark. Denmark said no, the idea seemed to die.
But this time, Sri Trump is firm to “gate” Greenland, as he calls it. Gitlers have been sent to Europe to refuse to rule with the force, where their relations with the administration are already hitting new ups on several issues, including Tariff and Mr. Trump’s stunning pivot to Russia.
European diplomatic and American investors are streaming in the island’s resources and its strategic location. The position of Greenland with the Arctic C lane, which is opening as the planet warm, has attracted the attention of the United States, Russia, China and European powers. The island also has huge mineral deposits, although it is difficult to reach many people.
Unlike those broad ambitions, people on the island say they are concerned about high housing costs and economic uncertainty.
“This election is a test where Greenlanders look at their future – both in their everyday life and on the global stage,” said Shrindar Nielsen. “The question is whether voters will give priority to immediate economic concerns or big geopolitical photographs.” This is a difficult call. ,
There is a question of control in the center of the election.
For more than 200 years, Greenland was ruled as a distant colony of Denmark, its inute population significantly sidelined to a large extent because Danish authorities controlled its land and resources. Over time, the pressure for self-governance increased, leading to greater autonomy and eventually its own government. Today, Greenland controls most domestic matters, while Denmark still oversees defense, foreign policy and monetary matters.
But complete freedom remains a challenge. Denmark’s financial support includes more than half of Greenland’s budget, making economic stability a significant obstacle to sovereignty.
The upcoming election will decide the makeup of Inatsisarartut, a 31 -seat parliament in the island. Almost all major parties agree that Greenland should become independent – this is just a question when and how. They also differ on what the island’s final relationship should be with the United States and Denmark.
No major politicians have expressed their desire to become an American state, and Poll show 85 percent of Greenlanders do not want so. But some candidates, such as a member of the Nalrek Party, Kunu Fenkar, believes that Greenland should establish a close relationship with the United States.
He says that Washington can best protect Greenland and such an alliance will provide more investment and development. Mr. Fenkar is part of a small Trump Camp in Greenland and went to Washington for the inauguration of Mr. Trump. He says the first step is breaking from Denmark.
“This is about us about getting full rights on our land,” he said. “From there, we will cooperate with international organizations and other countries.”
The United States has maintained a military appearance on Greenland since World War II with a small missile defense base at the top of the island.
“America is to live here,” said Mr. Fenkar. “They will always be part of the conversation equation.”
Other parties, including Democratit, are more cautious about sovereignty and relationships with Washington.
“We should be smart and not push for freedom at the cost of our people,” said Bo Martinson, a Democrat candidate. “Right now, immediate freedom is not possible.”
Mr. Trump’s meditation has intensified the conversation about freedom and what Greenland should do if it breaks from Denmark.
“The most important thing for me in this election is that there is so much talk about freedom, but I really want to know: how?” Run Savird, a municipal planning chief in Nuke, said. “I need a road map.”
On an island where hard weather can close the entire cities and 80 percent of the land mass is covered by a glacier ice cap, making sure that a smooth choice is not so simple.
The ballot papers are flown by helicopters, surrounded by boats through Arctic water and reach remote settlements by snowmobile. Once added, each vote is counted by hand, the result by email or, in the most different areas, by satellite phones. The results are expected to be announced late Tuesday night, weather permission.
“If a storm comes and delays transport, we have to improve,” said a former election officer Claus George Hansen.
But the storms are not just a threat. Danish intelligence officials have Warned of foreign interventionThe fake social media profiles were presented as Greenlandic politicians and the statements were converted into the sowing division.
With each passing day, the electoral discussion grows loudly in the damage. As passengers walk away from the new international airport, two big banners, one for Nalerek and the other for Inute Atakatigit, governing the governing party, hanging on the opposite sides of a rock-cut hill.
In addition, the campaign posters were swept away by lamppost. On Thursday, 66 -year -old pensioner John Nathansen, made his way for a supermarket, the election was in his mind.
“The conditions we live do not pay enough attention. Instead, it’s about the orange man – Trump, ”he said. “In my view, the freedom should be behind the line.”
