Independence movements

History of Greenland’s self-government and independence debate

From colonisation in 1721 and integration in 1953 to home rule, self-government, the independence clause of 2009 and the pressures of 2025–2026.

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From colony to Danish county

Greenland, known in Greenlandic as Kalaallit Nunaat, lies north-east of Canada and has around 57,000 inhabitants, predominantly Inuit.[1][2] It became a Danish colony in 1721 and a Danish county in 1953.[3]

Denmark told the United Nations that a constitutional amendment of 5 June 1953 had made Greenland an integral part of the Realm with equal status.[4] In 1954 the General Assembly accepted that Greenlanders, through elected representatives, had freely exercised self-determination and that Greenland should no longer be reported on as a non-self-governing territory.[5]

Home rule and the European question

Greenland gained home rule in 1979.[3] The anthropologist Mark Nuttall describes Greenlanders as the first population of Inuit origin to win a degree of self-government, and argues that home rule became a process of nation-building rather than an ethno-political movement.[6][7]

Under home rule Greenland also made its own choice on Europe: it had entered the European Communities with Denmark in 1973, voted to leave in 1982 and left in 1985.[8]

The 2008 referendum and the Self-Government Act

In a guiding referendum on 25 November 2008, 75.5% of votes cast were for introducing self-government.[9] The vote was not binding on either parliament, and it was a vote on self-government rather than on independence.[10]

The Act on Greenland Self-Government came into force on 21 June 2009, replacing home rule.[11] Its preamble recognises the people of Greenland as a people under international law with the right of self-determination, and it makes Greenlandic the official language.[12][13] With the Danish Constitution, the Act defines Greenland’s place in the Unity of the Realm, and Greenland elects two members of the Danish parliament.[14]

Self-government has limits. Fields such as the constitution, nationality, foreign, defence and security policy and monetary policy cannot be transferred.[15] The Act also fixed an annual Danish subsidy, to be reduced by half of any mineral revenue above DKK 75 million a year.[16]

A legal route to independence

Section 21 of the Act is the core of the independence question. A decision on independence belongs to the people of Greenland; if they take it, negotiations begin, and any agreement must be approved by Inatsisartut, endorsed in a referendum in Greenland and consented to by the Folketing. Independence would mean Greenland assuming sovereignty over its territory.[17][18]

The procedure exists but has not been started. In April 2023 a constitutional commission gave Inatsisartut a draft constitution for a possible independent Greenland, which left open questions such as who would be head of state.[19]

· Legislation

Greenland Self-Government Act, 2009

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.

The economic question

Economic dependence runs through the debate. The block grant from Denmark was DKK 4,323.7 million in 2024, and analysts in 2025 put Danish subsidies at roughly half of the Greenland government’s budget revenue, with fisheries providing over 90% of export value.[20][21]

Opinion reflects that tension. In a January 2025 poll 56% said they would vote for independence, yet 45% did not want it if it lowered living standards.[22]

Parties and the pace of independence

The 2025 election reshaped Greenlandic politics. Demokraatit won 29.9% and 10 of 31 seats and Naleraq 24.5% and 8, while the long-dominant Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut fell back.[23] Four of the five main parties sought independence but disagreed on timing and method.[24]

Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Demokraatit formed a four-party coalition in March 2025 that favoured a gradual assumption of responsibilities from Denmark, leaving Naleraq, which wanted a faster break, in opposition.[25][26]

US pressure, 2025–2026

From late 2025 President Trump intensified calls to bring Greenland under US control, and Danish and Greenlandic leaders answered that Greenland was not for sale.[27] A January 2025 poll had already found 85% of Greenlanders against leaving the Danish Realm to join the United States.[28]

In January 2026 talks began between Danish, Greenlandic and US ministers, and Nielsen said that if forced to choose “here and now” Greenland would choose Denmark.[29][30] Trump threatened and then withdrew tariffs on European allies, and Denmark’s prime minister said sovereignty could not be negotiated.[31]

The pressure also sharpened internal differences. Before the Danish election of March 2026, Reuters reported that the governing coalition wanted a long-term path to independence with Denmark as partner while Naleraq pushed for swift separation; Greenland then sent one MP from each approach to Copenhagen.[26][32] In May 2026 Nielsen reported progress in talks with a US envoy but said Greenland would never be for sale.[33]

· Negotiation

US pressure over Greenland and trilateral talks, 2026

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.

How the case is interpreted

The sources consulted present Greenland’s path as a legal and negotiated one. The 2009 Act recognises a right of self-determination and sets out a procedure, while the 1954 UN resolution shows how Greenland’s earlier integration was accepted internationally.[12][17][5]

Nuttall saw home rule as nation-building rather than an ethnic movement; the recurring questions since have been economic viability and the pace of change.[7][22][24]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: Greenland’s statistics office uses the Greenlandic name Kalaallit Nunaat in its official Greenlandic-language publications and address.

    • Kalaallit Nunaanni Naatsorsueqqissaartarfik (Statistics Greenland), Kalaallit Nunaanni kisitsisit (publications page) (Statistics Greenland) link, page text. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  2. 2.

    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.

    • Garding, Sarah E., Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2026) link, p. 1. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
    • Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2026 (Statistics Greenland, May 2026), ISBN 9788794372008 link, p. 4. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  3. 3.

    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.

    • Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2026 (Statistics Greenland, May 2026), ISBN 9788794372008 link, p. 4. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  4. 4.

    Claim: Denmark informed the United Nations that, under a constitutional amendment of 5 June 1953, Greenland had become an integral part of the Danish Realm with equal constitutional status.

    • United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 849 (IX): Cessation of the transmission of information under Article 73 e of the Charter in respect of Greenland (United Nations, 22 November 1954) link, preamble. Source record
  5. 5.

    Claim: In resolution 849 (IX) of 22 November 1954 the UN General Assembly took the view that Greenlanders, through elected representatives, had freely exercised their right to self-determination in integrating with Denmark, and that reporting on Greenland as a non-self-governing territory should cease. Attributed to UN General Assembly (1954)

    • United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 849 (IX): Cessation of the transmission of information under Article 73 e of the Charter in respect of Greenland (United Nations, 22 November 1954) link, operative paras. 4, 5 and 8. Source record
  6. 6.

    Claim: Mark Nuttall describes Greenlanders as the first population of Inuit origin to achieve a degree of self-government, with home rule in 1979. Attributed to Mark Nuttall (2008)

    • Nuttall, Mark, Self-Rule in Greenland: Towards the World’s First Independent Inuit State?, Indigenous Affairs (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 2008) link, p. 65. Source record
  7. 7.

    Claim: Nuttall argues that home rule was a process of nation-building rather than an ethno-political movement. Attributed to Mark Nuttall (2008)

    • Nuttall, Mark, Self-Rule in Greenland: Towards the World’s First Independent Inuit State?, Indigenous Affairs (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 2008) link, p. 65. Source record
  8. 8.

    Claim: Greenland was part of the European Communities from 1973 as part of Denmark, voted in a 1982 referendum to leave, and left in 1985.

    • Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2026 (Statistics Greenland, May 2026), ISBN 9788794372008 link, pp. 4 and 13. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  9. 9.

    Claim: In a guiding referendum on 25 November 2008, 75.5% of votes cast were for introducing self-government and 23.6% against.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Greenland (Statsministeriet) link, paragraph on the 2008 referendum. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  10. 10.

    Claim: Nuttall notes that the 2008 referendum was not binding on the Greenlandic or Danish parliaments. Attributed to Mark Nuttall (2008)

    • Nuttall, Mark, Self-Rule in Greenland: Towards the World’s First Independent Inuit State?, Indigenous Affairs (International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 2008) link, p. 65. Source record
  11. 11.

    Claim: The Act on Greenland Self-Government entered into force on 21 June 2009 and replaced the 1979 home rule arrangement.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, ss. 22–23, PDF p. 6. Source record
    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Greenland (Statsministeriet) link, first paragraph. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  12. 12.

    Claim: The Act’s preamble recognises the people of Greenland as a people under international law with the right of self-determination.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, preamble, PDF p. 1. Source record
  13. 13.

    Claim: Greenlandic is the official language in Greenland under the Act; Danish may still be used in official matters.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, s. 20, PDF p. 5. Source record
    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Greenland (Statsministeriet) link, language paragraph. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  14. 14.

    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.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Greenland (Statsministeriet) link, constitutional position paragraph. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  15. 15.

    Claim: The constitution, nationality, the Supreme Court, foreign, defence and security policy, and exchange-rate and monetary policy cannot be transferred to Greenland under the arrangement.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Greenland (Statsministeriet) link, section on assumption of fields of responsibility. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  16. 16.

    Claim: The Act fixed an annual Danish subsidy of DKK 3,439.6 million at 2009 price levels, to be reduced by half of mineral-resource revenue above DKK 75 million a year.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, ss. 5(1) and 8(1), PDF p. 2. Source record
  17. 17.

    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.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, s. 21(1)–(3), PDF p. 5. Source record
  18. 18.

    Claim: Independence would mean that Greenland assumes sovereignty over the Greenland territory.

    • Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Office, Denmark), Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009 on Greenland Self-Government (Statsministeriet, 12 June 2009) link, s. 21(4), PDF p. 5. Source record
  19. 19.

    Claim: In April 2023 a constitutional commission presented Inatsisartut with a 49-paragraph draft constitution in Greenlandic for a possible independent Greenland; the draft did not settle questions such as the head of state. Attributed to AFP report published by Voice of America

    • Agence France-Presse, Greenland Unveils Draft Constitution for Future Independence (Voice of America, 28 April 2023) link, opening paragraphs. Source record
  20. 20.

    Claim: In 2024 the block grant from Denmark was DKK 4,323.7 million (preliminary figure).

    • Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2026 (Statistics Greenland, May 2026), ISBN 9788794372008 link, p. 31. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  21. 21.

    Claim: In 2025 Danish subsidies accounted for roughly half of the Greenland government’s budget revenue, and fisheries for over 90% of export value. Attributed to Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), April 2025

    • Szymański, Piotr, Greenland: a unity government in Nuuk and the American dream of the Arctic (Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), 1 April 2025) link, analysis text. Source record
  22. 22.

    Claim: In Verian’s January 2025 poll, 56% said they would vote for independence in a referendum held then, 28% against and 17% undecided; 45% did not want independence if it lowered living standards. Attributed to Verian (for Berlingske and Sermitsiaq)

    • Verian, Opinion poll in Greenland, January 2025 (Verian Group, 29 January 2025) link, results summary. Source record
  23. 23.

    Claim: At the Inatsisartut election of 11 March 2025, Demokraatit won 29.9% and 10 of 31 seats, Naleraq 24.5% and 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 21.4% and 7, Siumut 14.7% and 4, and Atassut 7.3% and 2.

    • Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2026 (Statistics Greenland, May 2026), ISBN 9788794372008 link, p. 13, table of the latest election. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  24. 24.

    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

    • The Associated Press, Opposition party wins the most votes in Greenland election amid Trump takeover talk (NPR, 12 March 2025) link, article text. Source record
  25. 25.

    Claim: On 28 March 2025 Jens-Frederik Nielsen of Demokraatit announced a broad coalition of four of the five parties in Inatsisartut, dominated by parties favouring a gradual assumption of responsibilities from Denmark. Attributed to Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW)

    • Szymański, Piotr, Greenland: a unity government in Nuuk and the American dream of the Arctic (Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), 1 April 2025) link, analysis text. Source record
  26. 26.

    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

    • Reuters, Greenland vote to test independence appetite amid mounting Trump pressure (Malay Mail (Reuters copy), 2 March 2026) link, opening paragraphs. Source record
  27. 27.

    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)

    • Garding, Sarah E., Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2026) link, p. 1. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  28. 28.

    Claim: In the same poll 85% said they did not want Greenland to leave the Danish Realm to become part of the United States. Attributed to Verian (for Berlingske and Sermitsiaq)

    • Verian, Opinion poll in Greenland, January 2025 (Verian Group, 29 January 2025) link, results summary. Source record
  29. 29.

    Claim: After a meeting on 14 January 2026 between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers and US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Denmark said the parties would explore a common way forward on US security concerns, while the White House spoke of talks on acquiring Greenland. Attributed to Congressional Research Service

    • Garding, Sarah E., Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2026) link, p. 2. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  30. 30.

    Claim: On 13 January 2026 Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that if Greenland had to choose between the United States and Denmark “here and now”, it would choose Denmark. Attributed to Jens-Frederik Nielsen, as quoted by the Congressional Research Service

    • Garding, Sarah E., Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2026) link, p. 3. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  31. 31.

    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

    • Garding, Sarah E., Greenland, Denmark, and U.S. Relations (Congressional Research Service, 22 January 2026) link, pp. 2–3. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
  32. 32.

    Claim: In the March 2026 Danish election Greenland’s two seats went to Naaja Nathanielsen (Inuit Ataqatigiit) and Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq), on a Greenland turnout of 52.3%.

    • ArcticToday, Greenland voters back contrasting approaches to independence in Danish election (ArcticToday, 25 March 2026) link, opening paragraphs. Source record
  33. 33.

    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

    • Reuters, Greenland says US talks make progress but island is not for sale (ArcticToday (Reuters copy), 18 May 2026) link, article text. Source record

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Printed from https://independenceatlas.com/movements/greenland/history · last substantive update 15 September 2026.