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SPRING MEETING 2026

Processing of time proposal interrupted: Sent back to committee

Naalakkersuisut will follow the call from the Legislative Committee to abolish daylight saving time, says a response note from the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D).
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Hanna Hviid
Hanna Hviid Hanna Hviid Hanna Hviid Journalist
Thomas Munk Veirum
Thomas Munk Veirum Journalist
Published

  • The time provision is sent back to 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 still chose to send the points about changing the time zone back to the committee.

    During the 2nd 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 of course 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 request to abolish daylight saving time by issuing a new executive order, said Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D).

    However, the parties subsequently agreed that the items from Naleraq and Siumut should be returned to the Law Committee and considered, and therefore they stopped the second reading.

    - We will stop considering the items as they will be referred back to the committee and resumed at the third reading, said Bo Martinsen (D) on behalf of the chairmanship of Inatsisartut.

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

    This 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 items are to be considered at the third reading on 15 May.

  • Is daylight saving time about to be abolished?

    In 2019, Inatsisartut decided that daylight saving 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 daylight saving 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, non-voting 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 from 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.

    It takes 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)

    Industry 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 Law 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.

  • The Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture Committee gets a new chair

    While we are waiting for the official list of the new committee members in Inatsisartut, another politician has announced on Facebook that they have been given an important position.

    Former Minister of Social Affairs, Labour, Home Affairs and Environment Bentiaraq Ottosen (A) writes in a post that he has become chairman of Inatsisartut's Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture Committee.

    - There are undoubtedly many tasks, and it is important that I continue to work hard for the fishing industry, he writes.

    Bentiaraq Ottosen resigned as Minister of Social Affairs in November 2025 as a result of the failed case regarding a new job portal. He has not held a committee position so far.

  • The time is postponed – again

    Today and yesterday, two points about moving the standard time zone in Greenland back to UTC-3 were to be discussed in Inatsisartut.

    But again, again the items have been postponed. According to the chairman of Inatsisartut Kim Kielsen (independent), this is because the Law Committee has requested a postponement of the items. He said this in the chamber on Tuesday.

    It is Siumut and Naleraq – who are now both opposition parties – who have proposed moving the clocks back again, so that the time difference with Denmark in the future will be four hours. They also want to abolish daylight saving time completely.

    The items were first discussed at the autumn session of 2025, where they were also supposed to be completed. Then they were postponed to the winter session, which was canceled on the first day. And now they have been postponed again.

    According to the current agenda, items 2. should be discussed on May 5 and 3. should be discussed on May 15.

    Why the decision is constantly being postponed is unclear. When the items were first discussed, there was immediate support from all parties. Since then, however, Siumut has left the coalition.

    It was a unanimous Inatsisartut, which in 2022 decided to change the time zone to the current UTC-2, but Siumut has acknowledged to Sermitsiaq that it was a mistake that they now want to correct.

  • New Naalakkersuisut Jørgen Rosbach: I'm ready

    Democrats' Jørgen Rosbach is one of the new additions to the Naalakkersuisut tribe.

    He was elected to Inatsisartut last year, and he tells Sermitsiaq that he is ready to take on more responsibility.

    - When I ran for Inatsisartut last year, I had already made it clear to myself that I would not hesitate to take on more responsibility, whether it be committee work in Inatsisartut or a responsibility in Naalakkersuisut. So I'm ready, says Jørgen Rosbach.

    As for the priorities he will work on, he will spend the first time getting into the areas of responsibility, which include environment, nature, energy and research.

    - The initiatives that will come will be in line with the Naalakkersuisut agreements, he says.

  • Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco: I am ready to take responsibility

    IA's Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco from Tasiilaq, will become a member of Naalakkersuisut for the first time. She will be responsible for housing, infrastructure, outer districts and emergency response.

    To Sermitsiaq, Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco tells that she is ready to take responsibility:

    - I myself come from an outer district, as they call it. I think that area will play a big role in my work, but also in terms of infrastructure. Right now we can see that there are still challenges with passenger transport in East Greenland, but also more housing in poor condition, she says.

    She does not hide that it will be a good challenge for her to become Naalakkersuisoq, but she is also ready for tough prioritization:

    - As for the outer districts in Greenland, I will investigate what specific challenges there are that we can look at and do something about. I look forward to getting started with the work, says Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco.

    Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco is a new member of Naalakkersuisut.

  • Leave approved - deputies in place

    The three new members of Naalakkersuisut, who have requested leave, have had their request approved.

    In addition, the eligibility of new member of the Greenland Parliament, Marita Broberg (A), has been approved.

    Ane Hansen and Kristian Jeremiassen have been summoned as deputies for the IA's new members of the Naalakkersuisut.

    Ida Vahl is summoned as deputy for Demokraatit's new member of the Naalakkersuisut, Jørgen Rosbach.

  • Three new members of the Naalakkersuisut request leave

    The Inatsisartut is taking a short break until 12.15.

    The chairmanship will consider a request for leave from the three new members of the Naalakkersuisut, who are sitting in the Inatsisartut.

    These are Jørgen Rosbach and Marianne Paviasen and Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco.

  • New Naalakkersuisut approved

    After a long debate, Jens-Frederik Nielsen's proposal for a new Naalakkersuisut is now being voted on.

    18 votes in favor of the new Naalakkersuisut. 10 have abstained from voting.

    The new Naalakkersuisut is a reality.

    - I look forward to constructive and productive cooperation between Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut in the years ahead, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen from the podium.

    The distribution of jurisdictional areas can be seen further down in the blog.

  • Motzfeldt: We are not judges

    Former member of Siumut and Naalakkersuisut, Vivian Motzfeldt, also joins the debate:

    - The population also wants to hear a sober mood here from the hall, no matter how much one disagrees. We are not judges from the podium, she says.

    Siumut's Erik Jensen is still on the podium and answers questions regarding his criticism of Anna Wangenheim's candidacy for the parliamentary election in connection with the election of the new Naalakkersuisut.

  • Here is the new Naalakkersuisut

    Jens-Frederik Nielsen now takes the podium.

    He asks for the election of the following members to Naalakkersuisut.

    There are four new members in the form of Jørgen Rosbach (D), Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco (IA), Maritha Broberg (A) and Mariane Paviassen Jensen (IA).

    Note that it will be IA chairman Múte B. Egede who will take over Vivian Motzfeldt's area of ​​responsibility for foreign affairs, which has been under particularly great pressure during the great pressure from the USA.

    IA deputy chairman Aqqaluaq B. Egede will be the new Minister of Finance.

    Here is the entire list along with the distribution of areas of responsibility.

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