Greenland’s Democrats are set to announce a four-party coalition government on Friday, local media reported on Thursday, following an election influenced by United States President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring the Arctic island.
The expected announcement of a broad coalition government would come on the day that Trump’s deputy JD Vance is set to visit Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Vance’s Greenland Tour
U.S. Vice President Vance, in a revised travel plan that initially upset both Greenland and Denmark, is expected to visit the U.S. military base at Pituffik in the north on Friday.
The original plan included a visit by Vance’s wife, Usha, and national security adviser Mike Waltz, to a popular dog-sled race, with no invitation from Greenland’s authorities.
Announcement Likely On Friday
Greenlandic broadcaster KNR said, without identifying its sources, the coalition announcement would take place around 1100 local time (1300 GMT) on Friday.
The coming announcement was confirmed to Reuters by one anonymous source familiar with the talks.
Democrats-Led Government
The source said the new government would be led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the pro-business party the Democrats, which emerged as the biggest party as it tripled its representation to 10 seats in a March 11 general election.
Nielsen had urged the parties to set aside disagreements and swiftly form a broad coalition government to show unity in the face of Trump’s campaign to annex the territory.
Expected Coalition
The expected coalition, which spans much of the political spectrum, represents 23 of the 31 parliamentary seats.
The Naleraq party, a staunch pro-independence party that doubled its seats to eight in the election, will not be part of the coalition, according to KNR, newspaper Sermitsiaq and a source familiar with the talks.
Sermitsiaq reported that Nielsen confirmed the coalition agreement. His party did not respond to requests for comments via phone and email.
Trump Eyes Greenland
Since taking office in January, Trump has vowed to make Greenland part of the United States, saying it is vital to U.S. security interests, an idea rejected by most Greenlanders.
Mute Egede, Greenland’s acting Prime Minister, has repeatedly emphasized that the island is not for sale and its people will determine their future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
