Debate on the USA in Inatsisartut - Naleraq wants a break

On Monday, Inatsisartut will debate the US situation. Follow the debate here.

Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), will present a statement to Inatsisartut on Monday regarding the US's ambition to take over Greenland.
Published

On Monday, Inatsisartut will meet for an extra meeting day.

One single item is on the agenda, namely the situation surrounding the United States, where President Donald Trump in particular has repeatedly expressed that the United States should take over Greenland.

You can read more about Jens-Frederik Nielsen's statement here: – 14 months in a very difficult situation

In this article we will update from the debate itself.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen received a call from the USA

A specific episode comes up in the debate, where Naleraq criticizes Jens-Frederik Nielsen for not wanting to talk about Donald Trump immediately after the Inatsisartut election.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen confirms in the chamber that a call came from the USA.

- I received a call that the President of the United States wanted to congratulate me. This happened before I became Chairman of the Greenlandic Parliament.

- But it did not happen while I was chairman of the Greenlandic government, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Pele Broberg says that he has also been contacted by the US administration, who wanted to get through to Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

- There was a desire to congratulate the candidate who received the most votes during the election campaign, says Pele Broberg.

Is that treason?

The debate rages on, while questions are being asked of Demokraatit. Chairman of Atassut Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen asks whether it is not treason when there are some who have the American flag.

- We are accused of wanting to be Danes when we protect our country. While there are others who cheer when the cake is cut, says Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen.

Here he is probably referring to the fact that Jørgen Boassen, who is very pro-USA, has been to a party in the USA, where a cake in the shape of Greenland covered in the American flag was served.

Naleraq wants a break

The chairman of Naleraq, Pele Broberg, requests a half-hour break, as Naleraq only found out this morning that the rest of the meeting has been postponed to the spring meeting.

The Chairman of Inatsisartut, Kim Kielsen (S), calls for a break not to be held right now, but only after the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut's closing remarks.

There is a majority in favor of continuing to meet.

Democracy: We must stand together

Jørgen Rosbach from Demokraatit takes the podium. He talks about the importance of standing together in troubled times.

"In troubled times of concern, it is important that we stand together and respect each other here in our country," he says.

He talks about the situation with the United States and says that national borders are not negotiable and that the dialogue with the United States and Denmark is important and must take place in an open and respectful manner.

- All of Europe has shown that Greenland is not alone in our situation. We are respected because we fight and protect democracy.

- The situation today is very special and acute, and it will help to shape our country and our future, but also the rest of the world, says Jørgen Rosbach.

He concludes by calling for Inatsisartut to stand together so that there are not individual members who will signal that the United States can approach Greenland.

Kielsen: The rest of the collection is postponed

Chairman of Inatsisartut, Kim Kielsen (S), begins the meeting by announcing that the rest of the items on the Autumn Meeting Part 2 are postponed due to the extensive work involved in handling the US situation.

This means that the autumn session part 2, which was supposed to last until February 12, will end after today's debate.

The items that were supposed to be discussed will be postponed to the spring session, which begins on April 14, says Kim Kielsen. Among the items being postponed is a proposal on the determination of time, which proposes returning to the previously used time zone.