Lars-Emil Johansen: The awareness of independence weakens the importance of the royal house among Greenlanders

The poll shows that 53 percent of the age group over 65, and 38 percent of the age group between 50-64, attach great importance to the royal family.

This does not surprise long-time top politician Lars-Emil Johansen:

- The older generation is almost unconditionally happy with the Danish royal family and the connection to Denmark, says Lars-Emil Johansen about the high percentage and explains that the royal family has so far been well-liked when they have visited Greenland.

For 29-year-old Ingrid Schmidt, the situation is different, and she does not attach any personal importance to the royal family, she says:

- In my understanding, the older Greenlandic generation is manipulated to value the royal family and the connection to Denmark. I say manipulation because of the political scandals that have come to light in the latest: the cryolite and spiral case, among others, says Ingrid Schmidt about the figures.

Greenland does not distance itself from the royal family

Only 18 percent of the 18-34 age group attach great personal importance to the royal family.

Lars-Emil Johansen does not believe that Greenland is distancing itself from the royal family, but that it is the increasing consciousness of independence in Greenland that makes Greenlanders attach less importance to the royal family.

- We cannot continue to maintain our glossy attitude towards another country's ruler, whom we ourselves did not choose.

- I know that the ruler is not elected, but Denmark has chosen to have that form of government: Constitutional monarchy. But it is something we have inherited from the Danes, and it is not something we have voluntarily chosen, explains Lars-Emil Johansen.

We young people do not know about the roles of the royal family

Ingrid Schmidt says that she does not know about the role of the royal family and believes that there is not enough information about the royal family for young Greenlanders to attach importance to the royal family.

- I do not know what their roles are. If I knew what their roles were, I might attach more importance to the royal family, says Ingrid.

Inequality impairs Greenlanders' relationship with the Royal Family

Lars-Emil Johansen believes that the equality between Denmark and Greenland plays a role in the way the Royal Family is viewed in Greenland.

- You are not equal in terms of standards, you are not equal economically, you are not equal in the area of ​​healthcare, for example.

- I think that Denmark and Greenland must face the fact that you cannot continue to have the illusion that there is equality between Denmark and Greenland, concludes Lars-Emil Johansen.