The steel woman is back – but outside the engine room

We are located in Qinngorput where Aleqa Hammond and her dog Adanee have at home. Outside towering Alaskan capes the gusts of wind followed by rain.

- When Self-Government was introduced on 21 June 2009, I planted these trees. Now they have become very high, explains Aleqa.

We are located in Qinngorput where Aleqa Hammond and her dog Adanee have at home. Outside towering Alaskan capes the gusts of wind followed by rain.

- When Self-Government was introduced on 21 June 2009, I planted these trees. Now they have become very high, explains Aleqa.

Originally the plan was to go for a walk and conversation along the way, but Nuuk's storm prevents it. Instead, the interview takes place at her home. When we meet Aleqa, she has been chairman of Siumut for two years days.

- I am calm. I was also calm before, but of course nervous on the day itself, she says.

Hear the full conversation with Aleqa Hammond in this podcast. Here she tells more about her political visions - and shares his views on Greenland's relationship with the USA and Denmark. The podcast is on Greenlandic.

Two days earlier she stood in one conference room at Hotel Hans Egede and began his election speech with a apologies to Siumut's members.

- It's not just for the Siumuts. It is for everyone. I also love my countrymen and it is appropriate to apologize to move on.

We will return later to why she chose to say sorry.

Lost his mother

The last few years – especially the last half – Greenland has been the subject of increased international attention. It has got Aleqa to consider a political comeback and many have encouraged her to line up for Inatsisartut.

- Many encouraged me to apply Inatsisartut.

But she did not run for the election on the 11th. March. A year ago, Aleqa lost her mother – and it took time.

- I needed to process my grief and my miss. And when something like this happens, there are always a lot of practical tasks, that must be resolved. I have spent the time taking care of myself, she says.

Now she feels ready to return.

- I have become strong again. Like my mother said, "You are a woman of steel."

Outside the engine room

Up to Siumut's extraordinary national meeting Aleqa Hammond received several calls to run for president.

- When so many stand behind one, you can't just pretend it's nothing. With the political issues at stake, the timing is also very appropriate, she says.

Aleqa Hammond, now 59, is far from new to the role of chairman of Siumut. She was first elected in 2009 and contested 2013 also the post of chairman of Naalakkersuisut. But already the following year drew she resigned from both posts after it emerged that she had spent DKK 106,000 of public funds for private purposes.

This time she sets up outside the engine room – that is, without being a member of either Inatsisartut or Naalakkersuisut. Nevertheless, she won the presidential election over her competitor, Vivian Motzfeldt, with 23 votes against 19.

- The party is not divided. We were two a lot qualified candidates, and the voting numbers reflect that. I see it as one sign of strength – not division.

For the first time in Siumut's history was the presidential race exclusively between women. And even more remarkably: Siumut now has a chairman who stands outside the parliamentary engine room. That can create uncertainty about the party's political line if there is no footing between the chairman and Inatsisartut's party group.

Vivian Motzfeldt, Aleqa's opponent, is Naalakkersuisoq for Foreign Affairs and Research – and could in theory be replaced by Aleqa even. But she rejects that.

- We are in the coalition, as we are now. Just because I have become chairman does not mean that everything has to change.

Cakes and conferences

You can clearly feel that it is baked in Aleqa's home. The kitchen is large and well used - and it has been that way for six years years she has been away from politics.

- I play in the kitchen, and I play along food, she says with a smile.

In her time as an independent baker, she has a lots of cakes.

- I don't know how many cakes I have baked. But there are many. I have baked cakes for both confirmations and weddings and other events. I bake when I have time.

At the same time, she has worked as a simultaneous interpreter at international conferences – and as a speaker.

- My tongue has been used extensively - and fortunately also in demand. I have had a good income based on that.

She enjoys the freedom of being independent.

- Life is just wonderful! Aleqa joins in excitement.

“We can talk about something else!”

When it emerged in 2014 that she had misused public funds, it triggered a massive demonstration in Nuuk. She has previously told that during that period she feared for her life. But that does not deter her from returning.

- You have to be ready to receive hard criticism. If you can't handle it, don't apply. And if you don't if you are used to it, you learn it quickly.

After massive criticism – including from her own party members – she resigned as chairman of both Naalakkersuisut and Siumut. Nevertheless, she quickly returned and was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 2015.

Here, however, it turned out that she also had used the Folketing's credit card for private purposes. The criticism was extensive, and in 2016 she was excluded from Siumut.

In 2021, however, she was readmitted to the party by the then chairman Erik Jensen.

When we touch on her past, Aleqa becomes noticeably quieter. She explains that this is the reason why she chose to apologize in his election speech.

- Everyone knows that there has been a lot of focus on me as a person. It has been hard. When I say sorry, we get an opportunity to move on.

But she doesn't want to elaborate.

- I don't need to mention that. people know what is.

Don't you also have responsibility for yours actions?

- As journalists, you can discuss that internally. I mean, we've moved on. We can talk about something else!

Can she become Greenland's leader again?

If there will be time for cake baking in the future, is doubtful. Siumut is in the middle of a serious crisis and has experienced great voter flight in recent elections. The task for Aleqa will be to resurrect the party and re-establish contact with the local branches who feel neglected.

- It is perfect timing for the preparations until the next election. We look forward to getting started with the work.

If an election is not printed in time, the next Inatsisartut election will take place in 2029.

Can you become chairman of Naalakkersuisut again?

- That answer lies with the population. It is the voters who decide who they want as leader.

But she has no doubts about her own readiness.

- Anyone who stands must be ready to that, says Aleqa.