Greenlandic Politics: In Pursuit of Independence
On Sunday November 29, Erik Jensen ousted Kim Kielsen to become chairman of Siumut, the lead party in Greenland’s governing coalition. Following the same election, most members of the party’s board are supporters of Jensen, and he is also likely to replace Kim as head of the Naalakkersuisut, Greenlands self-rule government. (Arctic Today, HNN)
Take 1: Jensen is outspoken about his pursuit of Greenlandic independence, and his ascendancy in Greenlandic politics marks an acceleration of that pursuit. According to its current agreement with Denmark, Greenland may take over its independent administration to the extent that it can cover the costs independently. By piquing international interest in investment and development in Greenland, climate change may be tipping the scales towards Greenlandic independence – the…