Why does it matter and how does it work?

There has never been so much international interest in Greenland and its election after President Donald Trump said he wanted to make a semi -autonomous Danish territory of the United States.

About 44,000 Greenland of a population of 57,000 have the right to vote for the election of 31 MPs, as well as the country’s government.

Six parties are on the newsletter. Five favors Greenland’s independence from Denmark, which is only different for how quickly this should happen.

The current Prime Minister, Mute B EGEDE, has made it clear that Greenland is not sold and deserves to be “treated with respect”.

His party inuit ataqatigiit (IA) is envisaged to go to the top with 31% of the votes, followed by the Simiut Social Democrats.

There are 72 polling stations scattered around the shore of Greenland and the vote lasts until 20:00 (22:00 GMT), with the results expected at the beginning of Wednesday.

The size of Greenland and the remoteness of many of its settlements and small cities means that delivering ballots can be a challenge in time.

No two cities are connected to a road or railway, and the island is exposed to extreme Arctic time.

In 2018, the 55 Savivik residents in North Greenland have never received their ballots due to adverse weather, according to Danish reports. Thus, Air Greenland -based manager on his 4×4 and local dog sled hunter joined his efforts to deliver the ballots on time.

Airplanes, helicopters, ships, speed boats, cars, sleds and dogs are used routinely to ensure that ballots reach all angles of the country before the election.

When the polls close, the stations send their results by email to the five Greenland municipalities, which will be added to Tally.

In the last parliamentary elections in Greenland in 2021, turnout was 65.9%.

The state of the health system, social problems, fishing and the economy have been discussed during the election campaign.

But the question of Greenland’s independence from Denmark dominates the debate.

Although it is now semi-autonomous, Greenland is controlled by Denmark-about 3,000 km (1860 miles)-for about 300 years.

Naleraq – Currently, the biggest opposition party – has gained speed and promises to hold a momentary vote for independence within three to four years.

Other countries are more credible and avoid giving the exact deadlines.

Cutting up ties with Denmark would be a big blow to Greenland’s economy, which depends on the fisheries sector. Currently, Danish subsidies contribute to more than $ 565 million (£ 435 million) annually – fifth of its total economic production or GDP.

“Currently (Greenland) is not ready for independence,” Green Bank Director Martin Kvisgard told the Danish media on the eve of the election. “It will take many years to become fully ready for it if you are talking about becoming financially self -sufficient … Fishing is not enough.”

Past colonial misconduct meant that Denmark largely abandoned the debate on independence.

Prime Minister Met Fredericksen has repeatedly said that Greenland is to decide its future.

The US President first sailed the idea of ​​buying Greenland in 2019, towards the end of his first term.

However, since the beginning of this year, he has expressed interest in acquiring the Arctic Island with an increasing frequency, for the alarm of many in Greenland, as well as in Denmark.

In January, Trump’s son Donald, Jr. visited Greenland about what he said was a “personal trip during the day”, but which caused a real nervousness that Trump’s interest was not just a fleeting.

Greenland is located on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically important to the United States.

In addition, there is a large US space facility and reserves of valuable minerals that have proven to be difficult to operate so far.

Last week, Trump told the US Congress “We will receive (Greenland) in one way or another.”

Therefore, the shadow of the president was large over these elections.

At the debate of final candidates on Sunday night, five of six party leaders said they did not believe that the US president could be trusted.

If Greenland ultimately chooses independence from Denmark, then there will be the freedom to pursue closer relationships and become far more exposed to the US interest.

So it is not surprising that in January, Donald Trump made a poll for 2019, stating that 68% of Greenland supported Independence from Denmark.

Trump’s comments to Greenland caused a barely covered panic in Copenhagen earlier this year.

Met Fredericksen has spent much of January conducting crisis negotiations with his government, as well as with other Scandinavian and European leaders. She also talks to Trump on the phone more than once.

Furious diplomacy has been cooling in recent weeks as Ukraine and other global problems have been central to Washington.

But since Greenland voted on Tuesday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lockke Rasmussen made a tilted reference to President Trump, saying that “the main forces have a different interest in Greenland than before.”

Of course, it was important, he added diplomatically: “Greenland chooses some unwavering politicians to lead the country through it.”