Nuuk, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Greenland's Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that the semi-autonomous Danish territory will hold a general election on March 11 in the backdrop of interest shown by U.S. President Donald Trump in acquiring the Arctic island.
The pivotal issues in the election campaign are expected to revolve around Greenland's aspirations for independence, its relationships with Denmark and the United States, as well as its delicate economy reliant on fishing and Danish subsidies.
Reviving an idea he first mentioned during his first term in 2019, Trump expressed a desire last month to acquire the significant island, even hinting at using force if necessary.
Greenland, with extensive untapped mineral resources, has expressed willingness to engage in business but desires a connection to the United States.
In response to the concerns raised by Trump's overtures and fears of external interference, lawmakers moved on Tuesday to prohibit foreign and anonymous donations to political parties.
U.S. interest has also prompted legislators to tighten regulations this week on foreign investments in real estate and properties.
This is a critical moment, unlike any we have faced before in our country. This is not a time for internal division, stated Prime Minister Mute Egede in a social media post, without mentioning Trump.
A movement seeking full independence from former colonial ruler Denmark has been gaining traction in recent years. Egede, who will turn 38 on election day, supports this movement but has not yet proposed a definitive plan to achieve it. He leads a government coalition comprising his left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party and the social-democratic Siumut party.
Although all five parliamentary parties advocate for independence, they diverge on the methods and timeline for achieving it. Only the opposition party Naleraq, currently holding five out of 31 seats in parliament, seeks an immediate severance of ties with Denmark.
The primary focus of our election campaign will be to initiate the process of independence from Denmark, stated Naleraq party leader Pele Broberg to Reuters.
A majority of Greenlanders would reportedly vote in favor of independence if a referendum were held today, according to a recent survey conducted by pollster Verian, commissioned by the Danish newspaper Berlingske and the Greenlandic daily Sermitsiaq. However, the survey also indicated that 45% would oppose independence if it posed a threat to their living standards, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the road to independence.