Quotes
We are not for sale." ... When you see the way Trump speaks, we need to have a tougher tone.”
Democratic Party Chairman Jens-Frederik Nielsen, 33, won plaudits for telling Trump ... On Tuesday, he arguedI consider this to be an attempt to interfere in the Greenlandic election, where the consulate might try to influence the parties to be more open towards the US. I don't think it's appropriate just before an election to try to influence — especially given the rhetoric from the U.S.,
he said, addingTrump’s embrace has been rejected, but the challenge now is to channel international interest into economic cooperation. In this regard, the EU could potentially play a role,
Gad saidDemokraatit [the Democrats] have opposed the uranium ban imposed by the previous government. It is too early to say whether they will attempt to reverse it, as this will likely depend on which party they form a coalition with,
said Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, professor and expert on Arctic security at the Danish Royal Defense CollegeWe want independence, but we all have very different definitions of what independence is,
editor-in-chief of Greenland’s main newspaper Sermitsiaq, Masaana Egede, told POLITICO before the electionGreenland needs us to remain united, which will be the basis of our negotiations,
he told a televised roundtableWe can do it the same way we exited the European Union (in 1985). That (took) three years. Brexit was three years. Why take longer
party leader Pele Broberg told AFP on TuesdayThey will continue to push Denmark for more equality, but might be more open to Danish investments,
he told AFPWe strongly support your right to determine your own future, and, if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,
Trump said, eliciting laughter from the crowdPeople want change ... We want more business to finance our welfare,
said Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Demokraatit's leader, according to ReutersI strongly believe that we will very soon start to live a life more based on who we are, based on our culture, based on our own language, and start to make regulations based on us, not based on Denmark,
said Naleraq candidate Qupanuk Olsen, according to ReutersThere are a lot of Greenlanders who see the US differently with Trump as president, who are a little less inclined to cooperate even if that's what they would really want to do,
voter Anders Martinsen, a 27-year-old tax service employee, told AFPStaying with Denmark is more important than ever right now because I think Denmark has mostly been good to us,
said one voter who identified himself only as IttukusukWhat approach to independence will win the day will ultimately depend on if Demokraatit decides to form a coalition government, and if so, with which party,
said Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy InitiativeThe Democrats are open to talks with all parties and are seeking unity. Especially with what is going on in the world,
said the party’s 33-year-old leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, a former badminton championWe respect the election result,
outgoing prime minister Múte Egede, who leads the left-green Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party, told KNRI hope it sends a clear message to him that we are not for sale…We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves, not with his hope.”
On Tuesday, Nielsen was asked by Sky News what message the parliamentary election might send to Trump, and he saidAn independent Greenland would be free to pursue a defense pact with the U.S. and could pursue “free association” status, whereby we would get U.S. support and protection in return for military rights, without becoming a U.S. territory.”
In an op-ed for U.S. News & World Report earlier this week, the pro-independence leader wrote ... BrobergNo other leader in Denmark or the EU has expressed such strong support for Greenlandic independence.”
Broberg praised Trump’s mention of Greenland in his recent address to Congress, and saidIt is now time to take the next step for our country,
Egede said