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SPRING CONFERENCE 2026

Jess Svane appointed as alternate

KASSAALUK KRISTENSEN
KASSAALUK KRISTENSEN Digitalredaktør
Hanna Hviid
Hanna Hviid Hanna Hviid Hanna Hviid Journalist
Thomas Munk Veirum
Thomas Munk Veirum Journalist
Published

  • Jess Svane appointed as alternate

    It has now been decided who will replace Siumut's Lars Poulsen, who is on leave from Inatsisartut for the rest of the spring conference due to illness in the family.

    Siumut informed the Inatsisartut Presidency on May 11 that Lars Poulsen has applied for leave for the rest of the spring conference.

    The party now states that Anders Olsen cannot participate in Inatsisartut because he is on a family holiday. The party's third alternate, Jess Svane, has thus joined Inatsisartut.

    - Since Anders Olsen is unable to participate due to family vacation and travel, Jess Svane is from today a member of Inatsisartut for Siumut until June 18, writes Siumut.

    The SIK chairman, Jess G. Berthelsen, stood as the second alternate. This gave him the opportunity to take over the seat in Inatsisartut, but he does not want to use that opportunity.

    Question: If you have run for election, is it not an obligation to accept to take office and work as an elected representative when the time comes?

    - It is an obligation. But our collective bargaining negotiations with the public sector on the part of SIK are still not completed, even though they should have been completed long ago. That is why I have announced that I will not step in as an alternate, Jess G. Berthelsen tells Sermitsiaq.

  • Media support bill forwarded to 3rd reading without debate

    When Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut and Atassut entered into a broad coalition a year ago, among the many points in the coalition agreement, there were three that concerned media in Greenland.

    The parties wanted a modernization of media support so that it included digital media and made room for innovation.

    Therefore, the Government of Greenland has submitted a proposal to amend media support so that in future media support can be provided in the form of an annual operating grant to nationwide news media, which aims to promote the dissemination of societal information, democratic debate and diversity in the media landscape.

    On Tuesday, politicians in Inatsisartut were to debate the amendments to the Media Support Act. This was the second time the item was debated in the chamber.

    However, none of the parties asked to speak.

    The item had been discussed in the Committee for Culture, Education, Research and Church prior to the second reading, where a majority recommended the proposal for adoption without amendments.

    The committee writes in its report that the proposal aims to modernize the rules on media support with a view to ensuring free and independent media. Among other things, the requirement for paper publication is abolished.

    Since no one asked to speak, they went straight to the vote. 14 voted in favor, while eight abstained. After that, Chairman of Inatsisartut Kim Kielsen (independent member) sent the proposal on to the 3rd reading without committee processing.

    KNR not included

    Media support can be provided to independent and self-governing news media, whose content is edited for a Greenlandic audience.

    Since KNR is a public service media and owned by the self-government, they cannot receive this media support.

    KNR, on the other hand, is on the Finance Act. And in the coalition agreement from last year it is stated that "it is essential that KNR improves its finances. A strong and independent KNR is a supporting pillar of our democracy and must be able to deliver versatile and credible journalism that reflects our language, culture and diversity."

    In the Finance Act for 2025, 75 million kroner was allocated to KNR. The 2026 Finance Act allocated 73 million kroner. That is two million kroner less.

  • Naleraq declares no confidence in Aqqaluaq B. Egede

    On Monday, Naleraq raised a vote of no confidence against Naalakkersuisoq for Finance and Taxes, Aqqaluaq B. Egede (IA), during Inatsisartut's debate on the mandatory pension scheme.

    - It is completely untrue when Naalakkersuisoq for Finance says that Naleraq has not taken a position on the mandatory pension scheme, the party said.

    However, the Minister of Finance had the trust of his supporters, and this ensured his continued place in the Parliament:

    - Atassut, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Demokraatit and the independent member wish to express their trust in the Minister of Finance. The coalition and the independent member consider the Minister of Finance to be a person who is aware of the work and procedures of the Parliament and who respects the working procedures. Therefore, the coalition and the independent member have trust in the Minister of Finance, said Pipaluk Olsen (D) from the podium in the Parliament.

    Aqqaluaq B. Egede did not recognize Naleraq's arguments either:

    - As the Minister of Finance, I have not made a single incorrect statement, said Aqqaluaq B. Egede in connection with the incident.

  • Decision on time zone postponed until autumn

    Inatsisartut has – again – postponed the points on whether Greenland should move the time zone to UTC-3 and abolish daylight saving time.

    This is stated on Inatsisartut's website, where the final readings of the bills have been postponed until the autumn session of 2026.

    The two bills from Siumut and Naleraq were 1. considered during the autumn session of 2025 and referred to the Law Committee. 2. The reading was pushed to the winter session – which was then postponed due to the heavy workload of dealing with the US situation.

    At the spring session this year, the debate was initially set for April 14, but the Law Committee requested that the points be postponed.

    On May 5, the politicians started the second reading, but it was quickly stopped when they chose to send the items back to the Law Committee for further consideration.

    The items must therefore be considered again for the second reading before the third reading. Those dates were originally set for May 18 and 27, but now it has been postponed until the autumn.

  • Time zone proposal to be considered again for the second time

    Just under a week ago, on May 5, the politicians in Inatsisartut got ready to – finally – talk about Greenland’s time zone and daylight saving time again.

    The items on whether Greenland should move back to UTC-3 and abolish daylight saving time were first considered during the 2025 autumn session and have since been waiting to be considered for the second time with several postponements.

    But although the debate on Tuesday began with a rapporteur's speech from Naleraq, it was quickly interrupted when Bo Martinsen (D) stood up and proposed that the points be sent back to the Law Committee for further consideration.

    There was a majority in favor of this, and thus the debate stopped. It now appears from the Inatsisartut website that the 2nd reading will resume on Monday, May 18, after which the points will be considered for a 3rd reading on May 27.

    The Law Committee recommended before the first 2nd reading that the time zone be retained, but that daylight saving time be abolished as soon as possible. Naalakkersuisut intended to follow this recommendation, said Chairman Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D) at the rostrum on Tuesday.

    Whether the Law Committee changes its mind, time will tell.

  • Lars Poulsen leaves Inatsisartut

    Siumut's member of Inatsisartut, Lars Poulsen, has chosen to leave Inatsisartut for the rest of this spring session, effective today. Siumut writes on its Facebook page.

    The party writes that the reason is that someone close to Lars Poulsen has suddenly become seriously ill.

    - Lars Poulsen himself is in good health, but cannot participate in the rest of the session. The family and Siumut wish in the coming time that the family is respected, given peace and not contacted by anyone, writes Siumut.

    The party has contacted the Inatsisartut chairmanship and stated that an alternate will be called in to replace Lars Poulsen, Anders Olsen. Anders Olsen is also a member of the municipal council in Kujalleq Municipality and has been 1st deputy mayor of the country's southernmost municipality.

  • The coalition continues to have confidence in Nivi Olsen – but gives her a warning

    Naalakkersuisoq for education, culture, sports and church continues to have support from its supporters. This was stated by member of Inatsisartut Pipaluk Olsen (D) from Inatsisartut's rostrum.

    Atassut, Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit and the independents Kim Kielsen and Vivian Motzfeldt proposed rejecting a vote of no confidence. The proposal was adopted by a majority.

    Although Nivi Olsen continues to have the trust of her supporters, she was also warned.

    – The coalition parties call on Naalakkersuisut to show humility towards Inatsisartut and follow current guidelines. Therefore, a warning is given to Naalakkersuisoq for Education, Culture, Sports and Church.

    – Against this background, we continue to have confidence in naalakkersuisoq for education, culture, sports and church, said Pipaluk Olsen (D) from the podium.

    The chairman of Inatsisartut, Kim Kielsen, asked naalakkersuisoq for education, culture, sports and church, Nivi Olsen, if she wanted to comment, but she did not want to comment.

  • Distrust of Nivi Olsen

    Siumut and Naleraq have on Thursday submitted a vote of no confidence against Naalakkersuisoq Nivi Olsen (D).

    It was Siumut's Erik Jensen who brought up the proposal from the podium:

    - We do not accept a government that says something wrong, we would rather not accept pressure against Inatsisartut members, said Erik Jensen from the podium during a debate on the establishment of a GUX with an associated dormitory in Ilulissat.

    The Inatsisartut members are currently discussing how they will respond to the proposal.

  • Broad support for proposal on flags at airports

    The Erfalasorput should fly at the country's international airports.

    This is the opinion of Inatsisartut member Lars Poulsen (S), who has tabled the proposal in Inatsisartut.

    The flag is an important national symbol that represents Greenland's culture, history and self-government, writes Lars Poulsen, among other things, in his justification for the proposal:

    - A clear presence of the Greenlandic flag at international airports will contribute to emphasizing Greenland's national identity and making the country visible to visitors from abroad. At the same time, it will be in line with common international practice, where national symbols are often visible at national borders and international transport hubs.

    - The proposal aims to ensure a uniform practice, so that the Greenlandic flag will in future be permanently present at all international airports in Greenland, writes Lars Poulsen.

    This is a so-called resolution proposal, which Naalakkersuisut must implement.

    The Greenlandic government agrees with the proposer that the Greenlandic flag, Erfalasorput, is an important national symbol that represents Greenland's culture, history and self-government.

    - Therefore, the Greenlandic government would also like to see Erfalasorput hoisted at the international airports in Greenland, says the Greenlandic government's response to the proposal.

    The proposal will go through second reading later in the spring session.

  • The order of the day will be sent back to the committee

    Although a majority in the Law Committee in Inatsisartut had recommended that Greenland remain in the UTC-2 time zone, but abolish daylight saving time, the parties nevertheless chose to send the points about changing the time zone back to the committee.

    During the second reading on Tuesday, the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), said, otherwise in the chamber, that Naalakkersuisut supported the recommendation from the committee.

    - Naalakkersuisut naturally respects the wish expressed by a majority in the Law Committee, which also represents a majority of the parties in Inatsisartut. Therefore, Naalakkersuisut intends to comply with the wish to abolish daylight saving time by issuing a new executive order, said Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D).

    However, the parties then agreed that the points from Naleraq and Siumut should return to the Law Committee and be considered, and therefore they stopped the second reading.

    - We will stop the consideration of the points, as they are referred back to the committee, and will resume at the 3rd reading, said Aqqalu Jerimiassen (A) on behalf of the presidency of Inatsisartut.

    It was Inatsisartut member Bo Martinsen (D) who proposed that the points be referred back to the committee for further consideration.

    The Law Committee had otherwise planned for the two proposals to be rejected at the second reading, in exchange for Naalakkersuisut promising to abolish daylight saving time.

    That did not happen, and we must now await the renewed committee consideration of the matter and the third reading in relation to whether Greenland should change time zones again.

    According to the plan, the points are to be considered at the 3rd reading on May 15.

  • Is daylight saving time on the way to being abolished?

    In 2019, Inatsisartut decided that summer time should be abolished. But only when the EU did so.

    However, nothing further has happened at the EU in the years since, and now it seems that Inatsisartut will not wait any longer.

    The Law Committee has recommended that Greenland remain in the UTC-2 time zone, but that summer time be abolished no later than January 1, 2028.

    And Naalakkersuisut now intends to follow that recommendation. This is stated in a response note from the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), which is under the 2nd reading of Naleraq and Siumut's proposal on the determination of time.

    According to the response memorandum, the Greenland Government will abolish daylight saving time as of 1 January 2028.

    This will mean that Greenland will in the future be three hours from Denmark in the winter and four hours in the summer, as Denmark and the EU still use daylight saving time.

    In a little while, the Greenland Government will debate the proposals on the determination of time, where Siumut and Naleraq want Greenland back in the UTC-3 time zone, which the Law Committee recommends be rejected.

    According to the response memorandum, the Greenland Government is also following this recommendation.

  • Around 20 people participated in a demonstration in Nuuk

    The protesters met in the town center of Amisut and walked from there towards the Inatsisartut meeting hall. In addition to the approximately 20 adult participants, a class from the elementary school also participated, who had been given permission by their teacher to join the demonstration.

    The protesters want Greenland to return to the UTC-3 time zone and not the current UTC-2.

    When the protesters arrived at the Inatsisartut meeting hall, several politicians came out to meet them. Among them was the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

    Qupanuk Olsen gave a speech outside the Inatsisartut hall, where she said, among other things:

    - It is called noon because it is noon, but right now the sun is at its highest at around 2:00 p.m. The fishermen and hunters, especially in North Greenland, are also affected by this. They have to wait for it to get light, and also come back quickly to reach the shopping centers while they are open.

    Jens-Frederik Nielsen also gave a short speech, where he said:

    - We have always said from Naalakkersuisut that no matter which time zone you choose, there are disadvantages.

    Inatsisartut will discuss tomorrow, Tuesday, a proposal to change the time zone back to UTC-3, which was used before the change in March 2023. At the same time, the issue of abolishing daylight saving time will be addressed.

  • Motzfeldt thanks for unity under pressure from the USA.

    Vivian Motzfeldt is also on the podium during the debate, as she is now an independent after announcing her Siumut.

    She thanks the unity under pressure from the USA, where she was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    She also thanks the employees in her former department for their great effort.

    She says about the process that the motto has been that everything about Greenland must be debated with Greenland.

    - Nothing about us without us has been the motto and that must continue, says Motzfeldt.

    She feels that some have tried to downplay the threat, but she emphasizes that an ally has for many years expressed that it would take over Greenland by force in the worst case scenario.

    - We must somehow get the alliance back on track, she says.

    She also says that Greenland should not appear defenseless and weak to outside forces.

    She wishes her successor Múte B. Egede (IA) good work.

  • Atassut voices concerns about armed soldiers in the streets

    In his speech, Atassut chairman Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen addresses a topic that divides politicians and has been discussed several times in the debate - namely the armament and the many soldiers in Nuuk:

    - Although we at Atassut support initiatives within defense and security, and although the presence of NATO-allied forces can fundamentally be positive, we are experiencing increasing concern - especially among citizens in Nuuk, says Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen and continues:

    - This is increasingly being questioned, and many are not comfortable with the fact that there are armed soldiers in the capital. We at Atassut do not want to ignore this.

    The Atassut chairman says that even though the purpose is security, a soldier is still a soldier.

    - If military presence is to be placed elsewhere, we must strengthen the dialogue in the realm – especially when we already have two former airports that no longer have the same central role. We should address these options in close dialogue with the authorities in the realm.

    Here he refers to Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq.

    The Atassut chairman also says that the statements from Donald Trump are very tiring, but there is no way around cooperating with the USA:

    - Regardless, we must continue to cooperate with the USA. At the same time, it has been clearly expressed by the Chairman of the Government of Greenland that our participation in the Commonwealth is a conscious choice – and it is today our strongest security policy foundation, says Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen.

  • Siumut wants to breathe new life into the Ilulissat Declaration

    Siumut spokesman Erik Jensen takes a critical look at the increasing militarization in the Arctic in his speech:

    - The Arctic has once again become an area of ​​extensive militarization, and that efforts for further armament continue to grow.

    - Militarization has become so extensive that Nuuk is now even referred to as a large military base, says Erik Jensen.

    Siumut refers to the Ilulissat Declaration in this context:

    - It was never the intention that Nuuk and the country as a whole should be expanded with military installations, says Erik Jensen.

    Siumut therefore calls on the Naalakkersuisut to convene the Arctic Five (DK/GR, USA, Canada, Norway and Russia) again, and to raise the question of whether the Ilulissat Declaration is still considered valid – namely that the Arctic should not be militarized and that the area should be managed peacefully. A common formulation should be found, says Erik Jensen.

    During the debate, Independent member Vivian Motzfeldt asks Erik Jensen whether he thinks it makes sense to get a country that has attacked and is at war with another country to sign a declaration of peace in the Arctic.

    Motzfeldt does not mention the country by name, but Erik Jensen says in his response that talks with Russia will not be a green light for the country's war against Ukraine:

    - Let's stop spending our energy on war. And instead create peace. This does not mean that we accept that war is being waged against another country, says Erik Jensen.

  • IA thanks allies

    The US pressure on Greenland also influenced Inuit Ataqatigiit's speech.

    IA spokesperson Pipaluk Lynge thanked the staff at the Department of Foreign Affairs for their tireless work under pressure from the US.

    She also thanked the many countries that have supported Greenland:

    - As a society, we stand together under pressure, the Nordic countries and Europe and the rest of the world are showing a clear willingness to cooperate and support.

    She specifically mentioned that the EU stated that the union would use its so-called trade bazooka when the US threatened to take over Greenland.

    - We found that reassuring at Inuit Ataqatigiit and thank them for their willingness to cooperate with us, just as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, France, Germany and many other countries also expressed support. We also entered into scientific cooperation with Japan, said Pipaluk Lynge.

  • Broberg: We must be able to talk to the US without Denmark.

    Nalaeraq chairman Pele Broberg says in the debate on foreign policy that Naleraq maintains that Greenland should be able to talk to the US without Denmark being present.

    That is precisely what was most recently debated, in connection with the US's pressure on Greenland.

    As the rules are now, it is Denmark that handles foreign and security policy matters abroad.

    That is why the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, together with the then Naalakkersuisoq Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, went to Washington to negotiate with the Americans back in January.

    But Greenlandic rights should be discussed, says Pele Broberg during today's debate.

    Pele Broberg praises Vivian Motzfeldt for giving a speech in Greenlandic from Washington, where she spoke directly to the many citizens back home in Greenland.

    Pele Broberg emphasizes that Naleraq wants to gather partners, and whether they are Danes, Americans or others is not important.

  • Justus Hansen: The situation is serious

    On Thursday, the Foreign Policy Statement of the Greenlandic Republic will be discussed, and the debate in Inatsisartut will naturally focus on the pressure from the USA.

    Demokraatit's spokesperson Justus Hansen said in his speech that the situation remains serious:

    - The foreign policy situation we are in is serious. The developments in the US have not only created uncertainty, but have also fundamentally raised questions about our right to self-determination over our country and our future.

    - When the US repeatedly talks about control over Greenland, it is not just words. It is an approach that we have to take very seriously, said Justus Hansen, among others.

    He warned that there is a risk of influence in the political environment:

    - Therefore, we must be very careful. We must stand firm on our values, on our democracy and on our cohesion. For Demokraatit, it is absolutely central that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in this situation, said Justus Hansen, who emphasized cooperation with the EU, NATO and the Kingdom:

    - Our natural home is in Western cooperation. It is in the EU and NATO that we find partnerships that are based on respect, democracy and shared values. This is where we find stability in a troubled world.

    - At the same time, it is crucial that we stand close together in the Kingdom, said Justus Hansen, who emphasized several times during the debate that he believes that there is still a threat from the USA.

  • Here are the new members of Inatsisartut's committee

    On Tuesday, Inatsisartut met for the first day of the spring session. And since the coalition has become one party smaller since last time, new committee positions also had to be determined.

    This is taking place in a closed meeting, but the decisions have now been published on Inatsisartut's website.

    See how the committee positions are distributed here:

    Finance and Taxation Committee

    · Chairman: Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen (A)

    · Vice-Chairman: Pele Broberg (N)

    · Member: Hans-Erik Enoksen (D)

    · Member: Margrethe Thårup Andersen (D)

    · Member: Ane Hansen (IA)

    Foreign and Security Policy Committee

    · Chairman: Pipaluk Lynge (IA)

    · Vice-Chairman: Pele Broberg (N)

    · Member: Justus Hansen (D)

    · Member: Nivi Heilmann Efraimsen (IA)

    · Member: Bentiaraq Ottosen

    Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture Committee

    · Chairman: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

    · Deputy chairman: Jens NapãtôK' (N)

    · Member: Pipaluk Olsen (D)

    · Member: Kristian Jeremiassen (IA)

    Law Committee

    · Deputy chairman: Kuno Fencker (N)

    · Member: Nivi Rosing (IA)

    (D)

    Audit Committee

    · Chairman: Nivi Rosing (IA)

    · Vice-Chairman: Erik Jensen (S)

    · Member: Ida Vahl (D)

    · Member: Mimi Karlsen (IA)

    · Member: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

    Family and Health Committee

    · Chairman: Pipaluk Olsen (D)

    · Vice-Chairman: Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam (N)

    · Member: Bo Martinsen (D)

    · Member: Paarma Lund Kreutzmann (IA)

    · Member: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

    Committee on Culture, Education, Research and Church

    · Chairman: Nivi Heilmann Efraimsen (IA)

    · Vice Chairman: Isak Johannesen (N)

    · Member: Margrethe Thårup Andersen (D)

    · Member: Karen-Marie Kyed Frederiksen (D)

    · Member: Nivi Rosing (IA)

    Plants Committee

    · Chairman: Justus Hansen (D)

    · Vice Chairman: Gerth Mikaelsen (N)

    · Member: Hans-Erik Enoksen (D)

    · Member: Nivi Heilmann Efraimsen (IA)

    · Member: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

    Commercial and Mineral Resources Committee

    · Chairman: Mimi Karlsen (IA)

    · Vice-Chair: Juno Berthelsen (N)

    · Member: Napaartoq Petrussen (D)

    · Member: Vivian Motzfeldt (Independent)

    Conservation and Environment Committee

    · Chairman: Napaartoq Petrussen (D)

    · Vice-chairman: Mette Arqe-Hammeken (N)

    · Member: Parma Lund Kreutzmann (IA)

    · Member: Kristian Jeremiassen (IA)

    · Member: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

    Committee for Election Trial

    · Chairman: Paarma Lund Kreutzmann (IA)

    · Deputy chairman: Kuno Fencker (N)

    · Member: Karen-Marie Kyed Frederiksen (D)

    · Member: Bo Martinsen (D)

    (A)

    Committee on the Rules of Procedure

    · Chairman: Kim Kielsen (Independent)

    · Member: Per Berthelsen (D)

    · Member: Mimi Karlsen (IA)

    · Member: Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam (N)

    · Member: Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen (A)

    · Member: Lars Poulsen (S)

  • Nivi Rosing becomes chairman of the Audit Committee

    Yesterday, Inatsisartut decided at a closed meeting who will sit on which committees. However, the new committee compositions have not yet been published.

    However, Nivi Rosing (IA) writes on Facebook that she has gone from one committee position to three.

    According to the post, she has become chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Committee for Culture, Education, Research and Church, and the Legal Committee.

    - In addition to that, I also sit on the eligibility committee and the delegation for ICC on behalf of Inatsisartut.

    - I am looking forward to working in these different positions, she writes.

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