Greenland’s MPs enter government talks with united front against Denmark

Greenland’s two newly elected members of the Danish parliament will join their Faroese counterparts in negotiations with acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg on Tuesday, presenting a rare united stance on key issues, DR reports.

Naaja Nathanielsen of the social democratic Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and Qarsoq Høegh-Dam of the independence-leaning Naleraq—political rivals in Greenland—have set aside domestic disagreements to push for greater Greenlandic influence over foreign policy and self-determination. Both stress that Greenland now holds significant leverage in talks with Denmark.

“We haven’t secured the decisive seats, but Greenland currently has a strong hand against Denmark,” Høegh-Dam told DR ahead of the meeting. “The world is knocking on our door, and we must be able to speak for ourselves without Danish ‘training wheels’ in international negotiations.”

Nathanielsen, who replaces outgoing MP Aaja Chemnitz, echoed the demand for autonomy, citing outdated frameworks: “It’s been 70 years since the constitution was last amended—and Greenland wasn’t even allowed to vote then.” She called for a reassessment of the Kingdom of Denmark’s structure, including the future of North Atlantic parliamentary seats, a debate also gaining traction in the Faroe Islands.

Both MPs confirmed they will retain primary residences in Nuuk despite their new roles in Copenhagen. “We represent the constituency of Greenland,” Høegh-Dam said. “I’ll live here no matter what.”

The talks follow cross-party meetings in Nuuk, where Greenlandic leaders—including Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen—aligned on core demands: expanded foreign policy authority, recognition of self-determination rights, and a broader dialogue on the kingdom’s future.