Official statements from Mute Egede or Greenland's government

Greenland's PM Seeks Independence from Denmark After Trump's Proposal to Buy Island

Jan 3, 2025, 11:42 PM

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede has announced his desire to obtain independence from Denmark during his New Year speech, marking a significant shift in the Arctic island's future. Egede stated that 'it is now time to take the next step for our country' and emphasized that 'we must work to remove the shackles of colonialism.' He highlighted that 'history and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not led to the creation of complete equality.' Egede referred to the provisions of the Self-Government Act as the framework for pursuing independence and mentioned ongoing developments, such as new international airports, to strengthen autonomy. The push for independence comes in the wake of comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressing interest in acquiring Greenland. While Egede did not provide a timeline for a referendum, political commentators suggest that a vote on sovereignty could occur in the next Greenlandic election period. The announcement has garnered international attention, reflecting Greenland's growing focus on self-determination.