Greenland's parliament approves US security deal with 16 votes, seven abstentions

Parliament approves the deal

Greenland's parliament approved on Tuesday, 3 November, the security agreement that Denmark, Greenland and the United States signed on 22 September in New York. Sixteen members voted in favour and none against, while seven abstained. All seven abstentions came from the opposition Naleraq party, which had been regarded as the most pro-American force in Greenlandic politics. The agreement still needs approval from the Danish parliament, which is scheduled to vote on 19 November. Foreign Minister Mute Egede called the ratification a step forward for the island and wrote in a Facebook post:

“The road to this point has been a difficult one for us as a people.”

Egede added that Greenland had held to its principles and chosen dialogue, which he presented as taking responsibility for the country's interests.

What the agreement contains

The agreement updates a defence pact that Denmark and the United States have had since 1951. It opens the way to new US bases, with sites planned in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and to elements of the Golden Dome missile defence system. At present the US operates only one base on the island, the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest, which is used for missile defence and radar surveillance. The deal allows that installation to be upgraded and its activities widened, and it permits the United States to establish two further defence sites.

Denmark's sovereignty over the island is confirmed, and Greenlanders keep their right to self-determination. The deal also bars investment in strategic sectors by actors from outside NATO and the EU, a provision the sources link to keeping Russia and China from gaining influence through investment. Greenland remains under Danish control, but the agreement would still apply if the island later declares independence. Its entry into force waits until the parliamentary procedures of Denmark and Greenland are complete, and it does not require approval from the US Senate.

Dispute over classified information

Before the vote, the government and Naleraq leader Pele Broberg clashed sharply. Foreign affairs chief Mute Egede accused Broberg of disclosing classified information from a closed session of the foreign and security policy committee, where details of the US deal were discussed. Broberg argued that the government had dropped its demand for financial compensation from the United States for implementing the deal on Greenlandic territory, and he said responsibility for that lies with Egede, who took part in the negotiations. The parliamentary presidium referred the matter to the police as a possible criminal offence. Egede said Broberg's conduct had damaged Greenland's reputation internationally, while Broberg described the affair as political and tied to his criticism of the agreement.

Opposition and the public mood

Naleraq, which favours a rapid move to independence, criticised the lack of concrete benefits for Greenland. The party pressed for a payment from the United States and complained that the agreement does not guarantee enough economic gains for Greenlandic companies. Greenland has 57,000 residents on an island between Europe and North America, and opinion polls show that most Greenlanders reject US control. Last year Trump declined to rule out a military invasion, a refusal that caused fear on the island, and he had repeatedly threatened to take control of it. The deal was negotiated over months of tension, and all three signatories have presented it as a success.

Next steps

The Danish parliament will vote on 19 November. Once the United States has been informed through diplomatic channels of the results of both votes, the agreement can enter into force. Egede framed the Greenlandic vote in personal terms in his Facebook post:

“This is about all of us. The Greenland we love.”

He also referred to security and to the right of Greenlanders to shape their own future. The vote count itself is shown below, with the 16 votes in favour, none against and seven abstentions.

In favour16

Against0

Abstained7

In favour

16 votes

Against

0 votes

Abstained

7 votes

Data from the article text