Hesitating to run - now he is naalakkersuisoq

When you enter the Self-Government Tower and continue up to the eighth floor to a south-facing corner office, the first impression is of a room that seems almost sparse and unfinished. The walls are bare without many pictures, and in several places empty frames hang or stand leaning up, as if waiting to find their permanent place again.

The contrast is clear when you see the man sitting in the chair in the meeting room. He seems far from the sober expression of the room. As soon as I enter the office, it is clear that he has prepared for his first interview with a journalist. Papers are neatly laid out next to him, his hair is done, and the meeting, which is set for 45 minutes, can begin.

Juulut, how are you?

– I feel good, and it is also a bit surprising to be sitting in a chair I never imagined in my life. But I have always had a feeling of being ready, no matter what I do, says Jørgen Rosbach, who was appointed Minister of the Environment, Nature, Energy and Research last month.

Half of me wanted to, half didn't want to

Jørgen Rosbach is 40 years old and has two educations. In addition to an education as an IT administrator, he also graduated as a teacher last summer.

He clearly remembers the period when he ran for Inatsisartut, just as he was about to finish his teacher education.

– I campaigned while I was in the middle of my exams. I traveled out, campaigned, got my exam materials ready, left again, took the exam and continued the election campaign. Fortunately, the timing coincided without clashing, says Jørgen Rosbach and continues.

– I had actually imagined a completely different life. Politics is my hobby, but I know that if I hadn't been pushed a lot towards running, I probably would never have ended up in that world.

Through his ongoing political comments on Facebook, he experienced that more and more people began to encourage him to take the step and run.

And last year he made the decision to run for Inatsisartut.

– I campaigned in a rather strange way, almost at the last minute. One side of me said yes, while inside I was actually saying no.

– What held me back was the part of me that wanted to live a normal life and not be on television all the time. But people's support gave me the desire and the feeling that my experiences, my knowledge, my education and my opinions were clear, says Jørgen Rosbach.

Politics can seem distant, but suddenly close

In the election last year he was elected to Inatsisartut. With 354 votes he became the candidate for Demokraatit with the fourth most votes. Thus began the work in politics in earnest – in a world he had previously kept at a distance.

– It’s exciting when you look back on the election campaign. I meet people from other parties, new people you haven’t seen before, and big names you only know from TV. Standing there among them felt a bit strange – quite honestly, it was strange, says Jørgen Rosbach with a laugh.

But he also quickly found out that the distance to the political environment was not as great as he had imagined.

– Politics can seem distant, but suddenly it becomes close. I grew up with Aqqalu from Atassut, Nivi from Demokraatit I went to primary school with, and Jens-Frederik is my cousin’s little brother. I have met Kuno Fencker from Naleraq several times as a friend, because we are both from Ilulissat. And then there is also an after-school friend, Isak from Naleraq, who has joined Inatsisartut.

- Then it happens that politicians suddenly don’t seem so distant anymore. That's why I'm not holding back any longer, says Jørgen Rosbach.

But politics is also the center of the clash of opinions.

- It's very different to be a politician, and I knew that in advance. Because we're going to clash when it comes to the economy.

Ask Jørgen who loves facts

Even before Jørgen Rosbach entered politics, he followed along, even while he was working.

- I know that I may have followed politics a little too much. Even when I was working, I followed along with headphones. I even wanted to ask and think "this has happened." I can go back ten years, says Jørgen Rosbach.

Among the things he particularly followed were Inatsisartut's §37 question to the Government of Greenland. And when he himself was given the opportunity to ask questions, he quickly became one of the most active in his party – last year alone he asked 18 questions.

He explains that he has asked questions to ensure he has an informed basis when he is going to put forward proposals.

– No matter where I am, I greatly appreciate having a solid basis and knowledge, says Jørgen Rosbach.

When you are a politician, it can’t just be about facts – right?

– Exactly. When you are a politician, it’s also about the way you speak and about being able to reach people’s hearts.

Now he is settling into the role he has been given. He meets regularly with officials to gain insight into the cases and their status, and among those he also meets again and again are stakeholders.

He has joined a coalition that has already lost one party since the collaboration began last year, and where four out of ten members of the Greenlandic government have resigned.

– Without any hesitation at all, I have said yes to the areas for which I am responsible now, and it is also very exciting to help run them and participate in the work.

But it is not just like that to join the Greenlandic government.

– The work in the naalakkersuisut is also hard. You could say that I was put in the middle of the stream. Everything had already been set in motion, and the wheels were already turning. So it's really about trying to keep up so that you don't fall behind – and about quickly finding your role, says Jørgen Rosbach.

He says that the transition has been easier because the civil service has been very helpful. But one thing is certain: the work as naalakkersuisoq will also present heavy challenges.

When he pushes himself, he also gets a more determined appearance – and he will hardly be able to hide that.

– My Ilulissat dialect has probably become a little less pronounced because I have lived in Nuuk for longer than I have lived in Ilulissat. Dialects are something people like, and when I make an effort, my Ilulissat dialect actually becomes more evident, says Jørgen Rosbach with a laugh.