Democrats (Greenland)
Democrats | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | D |
| Chairman | Jens-Frederik Nielsen |
| Vice Chair for Politics | Steen Lynge |
| Vice Chair for Organisation | Nivi Olsen |
| Founded | 28 November 2002 |
| Headquarters | Inatsisartut, 3900 Nuuk |
| Youth wing | Demokraatit Inuusuttaat |
| Ideology | Soft Greenlandic independence Liberalism Social liberalism[1] Historical: Danish unionism |
| Political position | Centre[2][3] to centre-right[4][5] |
| National affiliation | Liberal Alliance (since 2025)[6] Historical: Danish Social Liberal Party (2012–2025) Conservative People's Party (2007–2010) |
| Nordic affiliation | Centre Group |
| Colors | Dark blue Red White |
| Inatsisartut | 10 / 31 |
| Municipalities | 21 / 81 |
| Mayors | 2 / 5 |
| Folketing (Greenland seats) | 0 / 2 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Democrats (Greenlandic: Demokraatit [temokʁaːt͡sit]; Danish: Demokraterne, D) is a social liberal political party in Greenland. Historically a unionist party, the Democrats have traditionally been sceptical of Greenlandic independence and even further self-governance.[7] In the past few years, the party's position has shifted to remaining within the Danish Realm for the foreseeable future, with independence as the end goal of a gradual process that starts with increased self-determination.[8] Two of the major priorities in its programme are improving educational standards and the housing situation.[2]
History
Established in 2002, the party won five seats in the elections that year. It increased its seat total to seven in the 2005 elections, but was excluded from power by a so-called "Northern Lights Coalition" of Siumut, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Atassut.[9] Its number of seats decreased to four in the 2009 elections; however, it entered a government coalition with Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Association of Candidates, removing the formerly dominant Siumut from power for the first time in its history.[2]
In the 2013 elections, the party won only two seats, but gained two more seats at the 2014 elections. In the 2018 elections, the party gained an additional two seats. It shrank to three in the 2021 elections.
The party had its best election results in the 2025 elections, when it became Greenland's largest party for the first time, more than tripling their seats.[10] and Nielsen received 4,850 personal votes. Incumbent Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede received 3,276 votes.[11]
Shortly before Vice President of the United States JD Vance and his wife Usha arrived to visit the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on 29 March 2025, a four-party coalition government was announced by Nielsen.[10][12]
Leaders
In 2020, Jens-Frederik Nielsen was elected to succeed Niels Thomsen as chair of the party.[13][10] He was reelected to the role in March 2024,[13] and became prime minister of Greenland in March 2025.[10]
Positions
The party supports a more gradual process of gaining independence from Denmark compared to Naleraq, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut, not wanting to pursue full independence until Greenland is self sufficient.[14][15]
The party has opposed US President Donald Trump's threats to invade Greenland.[10]
Election results
Inatsisartut
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4,558 | 15.9 | 5 / 31
|
New | 4th | Opposition |
| 2005 | 6,595 | 22.8 | 7 / 31
|
2 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 2009 | 3,620 | 12.7 | 4 / 31
|
3 | 3rd | Coalition |
| 2013 | 1,870 | 6.2 | 2 / 31
|
2 | 5th | Opposition |
| 2014 | 3,469 | 11.8 | 4 / 31
|
2 | 3rd | Coalition (2014–2016) |
| Opposition (2016–2018) | ||||||
| 2018 | 5,712 | 19.5 | 6 / 31
|
2 | 3rd | Opposition (2018) |
| External support (2018–2020) | ||||||
| Coalition (2020–2021) | ||||||
| 2021 | 2,454 | 9.3 | 3 / 31
|
3 | 4th | Opposition |
| 2025 | 8,563 | 30.3 | 10 / 31
|
7 | 1st | Coalition |
Folketing
| Election | Greenland | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | |
| 2005 | 4,909 | 21.7 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
| 2007 | 4,584 | 18.5 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
| 2011 | 2,882 | 12.6 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
| 2015 | 1,753 | 8.5 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
| 2019 | 2,258 | 11.0 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
| 2022 | 3,656 | 19.0 | 0 / 2
|
3rd | |
References
- ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2018). "Greenland/Denmark". Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ a b c Lansford, Tom, ed. (2014). Political Handbook of the World 2014. CQ Press. p. 393.
- ^ "Greenland gets new government". Associated Press. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Loukacheva, Natalia (2007). The Arctic Promise: Legal and Political Autonomy of Greenland and Nunavut. University of Toronto Press. p. 55.
- ^ "Greenland election shows divide over rare-earth metals mine". The Independent. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ Ritzau. "Liberal Alliance indgår samarbejde med grønlandsk parti". Kristeligt Dagblad (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ^ Loukacheva (2007). The Arctic Promise. p. 61.
- ^ "Partiprogram". Demokraatit (in Danish). 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ Hicks, Jack (9 December 2005). ""Northern lights" coalition a return to normal for Greenland politics". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Bryant, Miranda (31 January 2026). "'Under pressure': Greenland's PM gains fans at home and abroad after his rebuke of Trump". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
The 34-year-old was sworn in last April
- ^ "Demokraatit-formand overgår regeringschef". TV 2 (Danish TV channel) (in Danish). 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
- ^ Bryant, Miranda (28 March 2025). "JD Vance to expect frosty reception in Greenland amid diplomatic row". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b Veirum, Thomas Munk (16 March 2024). "Demokraatit-formand fortsætter på posten". Sermitsiaq (in Danish). Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ Lauritzen, Pia. "Greenland Has Spoken: What Trump Doesn't Get About Us". Forbes.
- ^ "Greenland election won by centre-right party who told Trump 'we are not for sale'". The Independent. March 12, 2025.