Kalaallit Nunaat
Covers Greenland’s political status within the Kingdom of Denmark from colonisation to self-government, the independence goals of its parties, and the procedure for independence under the 2009 Self-Government Act. It does not treat independence as decided or imminent.
Greenland, geographically north-east of Canada, is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark.[1][2] A colony from 1721, it gained home rule in 1979 and self-government in 2009 under an Act that recognises Greenlanders’ right of self-determination and sets out how independence could be decided.[3][4][5] Most parties favour independence, at different speeds, and no independence vote has been held.[6][7]
History
From colonisation in 1721 and integration in 1953 to home rule, self-government, the independence clause of 2009 and the pressures of 2025–2026.
841 words · 4 min read
· Constitutional change
A Danish constitutional amendment ended Greenland’s colonial status and made it an integral part of the Realm; the UN accepted this in 1954.
Significance here: Ended colonial status and removed Greenland from the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
· Referendum or popular consultation
Voters backed the introduction of self-government by 75.5% of votes cast.
Significance here: Endorsed the self-government arrangement, including its legal route to independence; it was not a vote on independence.
· Legislation
The Act on Greenland Self-Government came into force, recognising Greenlanders as a people with the right of self-determination and setting out a route to independence.
Significance here: Defines Greenland’s current constitutional position and the procedure for any decision on independence.
· Election
Demokraatit won the most votes; four of the five main parties sought independence at different speeds.
Significance here: Brought to power a broad coalition favouring gradual steps towards independence, with Naleraq in opposition.
· Negotiation
US demands for control of Greenland led to tariff threats and to talks between Denmark, Greenland and the United States; both Nuuk and Copenhagen called sovereignty a red line.
Significance here: Put independence, the relationship with Denmark and US security demands at the centre of Greenlandic politics.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: Greenland lies to the north-east of Canada between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and has a population of around 57,000, predominantly Inuit.
Claim: Statistics Greenland describes Greenland as geopolitically part of Europe and a self-governing region within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Claim: Greenland became a Danish colony in 1721, a Danish county in 1953, gained home rule in 1979 and self-government on 21 June 2009.
Claim: The Act’s preamble recognises the people of Greenland as a people under international law with the right of self-determination.
Claim: Under section 21, a decision on independence is taken by the people of Greenland; negotiations then follow, and any agreement needs the consent of Inatsisartut, endorsement in a referendum in Greenland and the consent of the Folketing.
Claim: In the 2025 campaign four of the five main parties sought independence but disagreed on when and how, Naleraq being the most insistent and Demokraatit favouring a slower pace. Attributed to The Associated Press
Claim: Ahead of Denmark’s 24 March 2026 election, Reuters reported that Greenland’s Demokraatit-led coalition favoured a pragmatic, long-term path to independence with Denmark as a partner, while the opposition Naleraq pushed for swift separation. Attributed to Reuters
Claim: Greenland’s statistics office uses the Greenlandic name Kalaallit Nunaat in its official Greenlandic-language publications and address.
Claim: Greenlandic is the official language in Greenland under the Act; Danish may still be used in official matters.
Claim: In a guiding referendum on 25 November 2008, 75.5% of votes cast were for introducing self-government and 23.6% against.
Claim: Nuttall notes that the 2008 referendum was not binding on the Greenlandic or Danish parliaments. Attributed to Mark Nuttall (2008)
Claim: Since late 2025 President Trump intensified calls to bring Greenland under US control; Denmark’s and Greenland’s leaders replied that Greenland is not for sale and its future is for Greenlanders to decide. Attributed to Congressional Research Service (January 2026)
Claim: Trump threatened tariffs on eight European countries on 17 January 2026, then dropped them after discussing a possible “framework” with NATO’s secretary general; Denmark’s prime minister said sovereignty could not be negotiated. Attributed to Congressional Research Service
Claim: In May 2026, after meeting US envoy Jeff Landry in Nuuk, Nielsen said the talks had made progress but that Greenland would never be for sale; the outcome of the negotiations had not been presented. Attributed to Reuters
Claim: Together with the Danish Constitution, the Self-Government Act sets Greenland’s constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm, and two members of the Danish parliament are elected in Greenland.