Aleqa Hammond: Coalition breakdown affected the election result

Six days after the general election, the chairman of Siumut has had time to reflect on the result.

– We fully respect the people's vote. We also respect the election result, Aleqa Hammond told Sermitsiaq on Monday.

In the previous general election in 2022, Siumut received 37.7 percent of the vote. In Tuesday's election, the party's vote share fell to 16.4 percent. Aleqa Hammond has no doubt about the reason.

– What happened in Siumut recently during the election campaign has undoubtedly had an impact. I can also see that it has had an effect and cost us.

Aleqa Hammond alludes to the fact that two prominent politicians, former Naalakkersuisoq Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt and former Chairman of Naalakkersuisoq and of the party Kim Kielsen, have slammed the door to the party after Siumut has chosen to leave the coalition.

Standing firm despite the consequences

Still, Siumut believes that it was the right decision to leave the coalition during the election campaign.

– One might ask: “Why didn’t you leave the coalition after the general election?” But it was necessary to take a position on the situation in the coalition without postponing it – even though we knew that it could affect the general election. It was a decision that had to be made, and we have stuck to it.

Although Siumut has lost a seat in the Folketing, the Chairman emphasizes that there are two bright spots in the election result.

Firstly, the party's vote share is higher than in the last Inatsisartut election, where Siumut received 14.7 percent, while this time the party received 16.4 percent of the voters.

– I am pleased. We will continue on that basis, says Aleqa Hammond.

Secondly, Siumut's vote share along the coast has increased, according to Aleqa Hammond.

– I am pleased. This shows that the voters who vote for Siumut feel heard and return as a result of the increased contact with our local branches, says Aleqa Hammond.

They will re-evaluate

But the election result is clear: Siumut has lost its mandate in the Folketing. The party, which has previously been among the largest in the country, is ranked fourth among the five parties in this election.

– We will evaluate, we are evaluating, says Aleqa Hammond.

You say you need to evaluate. What are you going to evaluate?

– It is important to have close cooperation with the local branches. On the board, we also work closely together so that everyone has the opportunity to provide input, suggestions, procedures, strategies and contingency plans. We will evaluate all these preparations.

If there are to be elections on time after the general election, the next elections will take place in four years.

In Inatsisartut, the next election will also take place in three years, unless an early election is called. The next municipal election is scheduled for 2029.

When the chairwoman is asked what Siumut will do to strengthen itself ahead of the next election, she answers:

– We will continue to clarify Siumut's policy. This is not the first time the party has been in opposition in Inatsisartut. We have been in opposition before, and although we are not many, we can still be significant. We will continue to do so and work to ensure that the population along the coast and in the more remote areas is heard and involved.