Kielsen Continues In Greenland, Despite Decline

Kim Kielsen and the Siumut party continues as government party in Greenland, despite declining support in yesteday’s elections. The election winner is the Demokraatit party.

Siumut, Kielsen’s social-democratic party, received 7 percent less support during Tuesday’s election, however, it is still the largest party in Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, with its 9 mandates, 2 less than before.

Sara Olsvig and IA lost big

On the day after the election, the social-liberal Demokraatit party led by Randi Vestergaard Evaldsen appears to be the winner, with its 6 out of 31 votes in the Inatsisartut. That is two more than before. Hans Enoksen and his party Partii Naleraq has 4 mandates in the new parliament, one more than before.

Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA, socialist) is still the second-largest party in Greenland, however, the party – led by Sara Olsvig – lost big and lost 3 mandates, and will thus have 8 in the new national assembly.

Liberalist Ataassut has 2 mandates in the new parliament, the same as before.

Vittus got in

Vittus Qujaukitsoq, who was fired from his position as Foreign Minister and left Siumut) barely made it above the minimum threshold and will be alone in representing his new party Nunatta Qitornai in Inatsisartut.

Another breakaway party, and brand new party just like Nunatta Qitornai, is the Cooperation Party, which stems from former Demokraatit members. Its primary candidate Tillie Martinussen, made it to parliament as the party’s only representative there.

Negotiations commence

Negotiations about who will follow Kim Kielsen and Siumut back to the government offices in Nuuk commence today. Kielsen has said he will negotiate with everyone and during the last period in position, he also demonstrated that he and his party will cooperate with most others.

The coalition that has just left office consisted of Siumut, IA and Partii Naleraq. The previous coalition, which Kielsen formed immediately after the 2014 elections, consisted of Siumut, Demokraatit and Atassut.

Needs 16 votes

In order to hold a majority in parliament, the self-rule government (Naalakkersuisut) needs 16 votes. A coalition formed by Siumut and Demokraatit would only need one additional vote to have such a majority. Kielsen would then avoid having to include his strongest competitor, IA and Sara Olsvik, in the Naalakkersuisut, which he currently has.

On the other hand: A coalition between just Siumut and IA would create a stable majority a Greenlandic government may need. The two also agree on a series of political issues, though they split sides when it comes to a crucial issue: The view on potential uranium extraction from Greenlandic mines.