Malu Kajangmat enters the door of the 2nd year's classroom at GUX in Nuuk.
It is morning and soon she and the entire class will go down to Godthåbshallen to vote in the general election. Many will be voting for the first time.
- You feel quite grown up, don't you? says Liv Cortzen, 18, laughing.
Malu Kajangmat sits down at her table. At the same table are friends Fina Winberg and Maria De Renouard.
- Last year I didn't know what I wanted to vote for. So it was more about what my parents did, says Maria De Renouard.
She is 19 years old and was able to vote in the Inartsisartutvalget and the municipal elections last year.
- I have a bit more knowledge this year, she says.
Malu Kajangmat is one of those who will be voting for the first time. It's exciting, she thinks, but she's also frustrated.
- I don't know who I want to vote for yet, she says.
Maybe she'll make the decision when she's inside the ballot box. Maybe she'll end up voting blank, she says.
- It's just a bit difficult because it's such an important election, says Malu Kajangmat.
She looks over at her friends, who are nodding. It's the situation around Donald Trump in particular that makes this election feel extra important, they think.
It's approaching 10 o'clock.
- So, let's go! says their teacher.
- Let's gooo, says one of the students on the way out the door.
- She can negotiate without raising her voice
The snow crunches under Malu Kajangmat's moon boots. Her friend Fina Winberg walks by in her long brown winter jacket.
- It's exciting. I'm excited, says Fina Winberg.
Although the polling station has only just opened, there is activity around Godthåbshallen when the two friends and their classmates arrive.
Cars and taxis drive at a snail's pace up Kissarneqqortuunnguaq, where the different parties have positioned themselves at their respective containers. The parliamentary candidates and other party members stand and greet people.
This year, there are a record number of candidates running for the parliamentary elections. A total of 27 are running this year, while in 2022 there were only 15 candidates to choose from.
- It's actually a bit crazy, says Fina Winberg.
- Yes, there are quite a few, says Malu Kajangmat and looks at the crowd, the cars and the many flags and banners.
The large selection does not make the choice easier for Malu Kajangmat.
- I don't feel that I've heard what everyone wants. I've just heard a few during the election campaign, she says.
In one of the containers, Demokraatit is offering Greenlandic cake to voters. Justus Hansen is holding out a tin of sweets towards Malu Kajangmat and Fina Winberg.
- Max two! shouts the Inartsisartut politician and laughs.
- No, just take it.
Malu Kajangmat and Fina Winberg continue on, but only get a few meters before they are stopped by Ineqi Kielsen from Siumut, who gives them a pack of yellow gummy bears.
Fina Winberg has already decided who she will vote for today. It will be Anna Wangenheim from Demokraatit.
- I think she seems very down to earth and can negotiate without raising her voice. I think we could use that, she says.
- And she is a trained nurse and advocates for a better healthcare system here in Greenland, which I think is important.
Fina Winberg looks over at Malu Kajangmat.
- I don't know yet, she says.
A good gut feeling
Inside the Godthåbshallen Fina Winberg and Malu Kajangmat split up.
Fina Winberg joins the queue reserved for those whose birthdays are at the beginning of the month. Malu Kajangmat joins a queue further away. Her queue is the longest.
It is quickly Fina Winberg's turn. She goes to the white table and is handed the ballot paper where she is to write the name of the party or candidate she wants to vote for.
She goes into the voting booth, pulls the curtain and shortly after she comes out on the other side. The ballot goes into the box.
- It was very straightforward, says Fina Winberg and smiles.
- In and out. I had an easy queue. Malu will have to wait a bit longer, I think.
Fina Winberg is excited to hear how her friend is doing. In the meantime, she lines up to the side with those from the class who have already voted. One of them is Maria De Renouard.
- It was okay. It was pretty easy. I just called my dad in there and asked what I should vote for, she says and laughs.
One person from the class who is not yet 18 years old just watched.
- I'm the only one under 18 in the class, says Maalia Skifte and sighs deeply.
- And I'm otherwise quite politically active, so it's pretty bad. It's three years until the next election.
After a few minutes, it's finally Malu Kajangmat's turn. With her ballot in her hand, she goes into the box.
About two minutes later, she comes out again. She stuffs the ballot down through the slot in the ballot box and meets Fina Winberg and the others.
- Alee, she greets.
- Did you vote? Fina Winberg asks.
Malu Kajangmat nods. She voted for Naaja Nathanielsen, and she thinks it feels good.
- I knew exactly who she was. And she is very interested in equality, and I like that, she says.
She seems relieved.
- Then we just have to do it every four years for the rest of our lives, says Fina Winberg.
The friends laugh and walk out of the hall together.
