Greenland’s political landscape shifted dramatically this week as four of five parties in Parliament reached a coalition agreement just hours before US Vice President JD Vance’s arrival at the Pituffik Space Base on Friday.
The new unity government, representing 23 of 31 parliamentary seats, brings together an unlikely alliance uniting Demokraatit (centre-right), Atassut (liberal), Siumut (centre-left), and IA party (socialist).
The only exclusion is the pro-independence Naleraq party, which advocates for an immediate sovereignty referendum, a stance that clashed with coalition leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s more gradual approach to independence from Denmark. While coalition leaders joined protests against US territorial claims, Naleraq MP Kuno Fencker struck a different note.
I would be happy to receive any delegation from any country. I don’t understand the outrage.
Originally planned as a cultural tour by Second Lady Usha Vance, the trip was dramatically scaled back after widespread local protests, including planned silent demonstrations, sharp criticism from Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, who called it “unacceptable pressure,” and public backlash over perceived US overreach in Greenlandic affairs.
Vice President Vance’s delegation, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, will now focus solely on military matters at the strategic Pituffik base, avoiding civilian areas.
The Trump administration has repeatedly emphasised Greenland’s strategic Arctic importance. Meanwhile, 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US, according to recent polls.
