Polls have opened in Greenland for early parliamentary elections amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in the strategic Arctic island. Greenland, a self-governing region of Denmark with a population of 56,000 mostly Indigenous Inuit people, holds a vital position in the North Atlantic and possesses rare earth minerals crucial for the global economy. Unofficial election results are expected shortly after polls close at 2200 GMT on Tuesday, but official certification will take weeks as ballot papers are transported from remote settlements to the capital by various means.

Although Greenland has been moving towards independence since 2009, the referendum does not include a vote for separation from Denmark, despite the topic being at the forefront of public discourse. Instead, voters will elect 31 lawmakers who will influence discussions on the timing and possibility of declaring independence in the future. This election is significant not only for Greenland but also for international observers interested in the region’s political trajectory and its implications for global geopolitics and resource management.