Jerimiassen has rejoined the municipal council but will now withdraw from politics completely

In Avannaata Municipality, the former mayor, Palle Jerimiassen (D), has returned to the municipal council from May 1. Avannaata Municipality confirms this to Sermitsiaq.

- Last year, the municipal council decided that he should be on leave until May 1, 2026. The decision from last year is still valid, the municipality writes to Sermitsiaq.

Although he announced something else

When the new election period began in the spring of last year, the municipal council approved his application for leave until May 1 of this year. At that time, he justified his request for leave by his health.

At the end of April this year, Palle Jerimiassen announced on the social media LinkedIn that he wanted to extend his leave from his position as an elected official in the municipality until October.

Here he justified it by saying that during his political break due to health, he had established a tourism business and he wanted to develop his tourism business further.

Wanted to leave politics

Palle Jerimiassen's wish to extend his leave until October did not come true. Jerimiassen himself says that it could not be done after his reasons had been assessed by lawyers.

Now he is again a member of the municipal council in Avannaata Kommunia. And five days after he became a member again, he tells Sermitsiaq that he has sent a request to Avannaata Kommunia that he wants to resign as an elected official.

He explains it this way:

- When I start thinking about returning to politics, I can feel that my body is still reacting and feeling bad, my blood pressure rises again, and the stress I experienced before returns when I start thinking about returning to politics.

- My body is not ready, even though the person might want to, Palle Jerimiassen tells Sermitsiaq.

Avannaata Kommunia confirms to Sermitsiaq that they have received Palle Jerimiassen's application to resign as an elected official. It is expected that the application will be considered at an extraordinary meeting in the near future.

During the municipal election campaign last year, you told KNR that you wished you could become mayor again. Is the fact that you did not become mayor again a contributing factor in your decision to step down now?

- No. When we campaign, we have goals. But I also accept political changes. And that is not the reason, says Palle Jerimiassen.

Experienced politician

Palle Jerimiassen has been active as a municipal politician for many years. He has experience as an elected politician in the former Ilulissat Municipality, the former Qaasuitsup Municipality and now in Avannaata Municipality.

Jerimiassen was a member of Siumut for many years, but became an independent in 2021. He joined Demokraatit up to the municipal elections in 2025.

Palle Jerimiassen has been an elected municipal politician for 28 consecutive years. If his application to resign is approved, he will not lack for anything to do. He is ready to develop his own company, which works with experience-related services.

- I have established a company, and I am in the process of building it up and running it. I see it as very exciting and gratifying, says Palle Jerimiassen.

Palle Jerimiassen's party colleague, Niels Erik Bro, has served as a substitute during the experienced municipal politician's almost year-long leave.

Palle Jerimiassen received 104 votes in the 2025 municipal election.