Greenlandic self-government referendum, 2008

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A non-binding referendum on Greenland's autonomy was held on 25 November 2008. It was passed with 75% approval (63% in Nuuk) and a 72% turnout. [1] The referendum was announced by Prime Minister Hans Enoksen on 2 January 2008. [2] Enoksen also announced the launch of an information and discussion campaign on the issue of self-government. This included town hall meetings throughout the country. [3]

Nuuk City in Greenland, Kingdom of Denmark

Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland. It is the seat of government and the country's largest cultural and economic centre. The major cities closest to the capital are Iqaluit and St. John's in Canada and Reykjavík in Iceland. Nuuk contains almost a third of Greenland's population and its tallest building. Nuuk is also the seat of government for the Sermersooq municipality. In January 2019, it had a population of 17,984.

Prime Minister of Greenland

The Prime Minister of Greenland, officially referred to as the Premier, is the head of the Government of Greenland, the autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark. The incumbent Prime Minister is Kim Kielsen of the Siumut party. The Prime Minister is usually leader of the majority party in the Parliament of Greenland. Jonathan Motzfeldt became Prime Minister after home rule was granted to Greenland in 1979.

Hans Enoksen Prime Minister of Greenland

Hans Enoksen is a Greenlandic politician who served as the third Prime Minister of Greenland from 2002 to 2009.

Contents

Background

Greenland became a Danish colony in 1775 and was made a province of Denmark in 1953. In 1979, it was made an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, with a parliament and local control of health care, schools, and social services. In 1985, it withdrew from the European Economic Community to maintain control of fishing in its territorial waters. There has been some movement towards independence, encouraged by Denmark but held back by Greenland's need for economic subsidies. A 2003 report from the Commission on Self-Governance outlined six possibilities for the future of Greenland. [4] These were:

Denmark–Norway personal union in Northern Europe between 1524-1814

Denmark–Norway, also known as the Dano–Norwegian Realm, the Oldenburg Monarchy or the Oldenburg realms, was an early modern multi-national and multi-lingual real union consisting of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway, the Duchy of Schleswig, and the Duchy of Holstein. The state also claimed sovereignty over two historical peoples: Wends and Goths. Denmark–Norway had several colonies, namely the Danish Gold Coast, the Nicobar Islands, Serampore, Tharangambadi, and the Danish West Indies.

European Economic Community international organisation created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957

The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional organisation which aimed to bring about economic integration among its member states. It was created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957. Upon the formation of the European Union (EU) in 1993, the EEC was incorporated and renamed as the European Community (EC). In 2009 the EC's institutions were absorbed into the EU's wider framework and the community ceased to exist.

Independence condition of a nation, country, or state which exercises self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory

Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory. The opposite of independence is the status of a dependent territory.

A personal union is the combination of two or more states that have the same monarch while their boundaries, laws, and interests remain distinct. A real union, by contrast, would involve the constituent states being to some extent interlinked, such as by sharing some limited governmental institutions. In a federation and a unitary state, a central (federal) government spanning all member states exists, with the degree of self-governance distinguishing the two. The ruler in a personal union does not need to be a hereditary monarch.

Kingdom of Iceland former country

The Kingdom of Iceland was a constitutional monarchy, a sovereign and independent country that was established by the Act of Union with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918. It lasted until 17 June 1944 when a national referendum established the Republic of Iceland in its place.

Proposal

Although the referendum was non-binding upon the Danish parliament, the parliament supported it and promised to honour its results.

Folketing Parliament of Denmark

The Folketing, also known as the Danish Parliament in English, is the unicameral national parliament (legislature) of Denmark. Established in 1849, until 1953 the Folketing was the lower house of a bicameral parliament, called the Rigsdag; the upper house was Landstinget. It meets in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen.

The proposals were to expand home rule in 30 areas, including police, courts, and the coast guard, give Greenland a say in foreign policy and a more definite split of future oil revenue, and make Greenlandic the sole official language. Under the proposal, Greenland's subsidies from Copenhagen would be phased out. The subsidy is currently 3.5 billion kroner ($588 million) per year, [5] which accounts for about one-third of the island's gross domestic product of 10.5 billion kroner [6] and almost two-thirds of the total income of the home rule government of 6.1 billion kroner. [7] If enacted, Greenlanders would become a separate people under international law. [8]

Greenlandic language Eskimo-Aleut language spoken in Greenland

Greenlandic is an Eskimo–Aleut language spoken by about 56,000 Greenlandic Inuit in Greenland. It is closely related to the Inuit languages in Canada such as Inuktitut. The main variety, Kalaallisut or West Greenlandic, has been the official language of the Greenlandic autonomous territory since June 2009; this is a move by the Naalakkersuisut to strengthen the language in its competition with the colonial language, Danish. The second variety is Tunumiit oraasiat or East Greenlandic. The Thule Inuit of Greenland, Inuktun or Polar Eskimo, is a recent arrival and a dialect of Inuktitut.

Gross domestic product market value of goods and services produced within a country

Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a period of time, often annually. GDP (nominal) per capita does not, however, reflect differences in the cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries; therefore using a basis of GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) is arguably more useful when comparing differences in living standards between nations.

International law regulations governing international relations

International law is the set of rules generally regarded and accepted in relations between nations. It serves as a framework for the practice of stable and organized international relations. International law differs from state-based legal systems in that it is primarily applicable to countries rather than to individual citizens. National law may become international law when treaties permit national jurisdiction to supranational tribunals such as the European Court of Human Rights or the International Criminal Court. Treaties such as the Geneva Conventions may require national law to conform to respective parts.

Results

The referendum passed and the results took effect on 21 June 2009, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of home rule. [9] The Greenlandic government has stated that this is a "major step towards independence". [8] The referendum gives Greenland control of the police force, coastguard, and courts. [10] In addition, Greenlandic will become the sole official language once the referendum is enacted. [10] Oil revenues will be divided differently, as well. The first 75 million kroner (US$13.1 million) will go to Greenland, and the remaining revenue will be split evenly with Denmark. [10] Greenlanders are also recognized as a separate group of people under international law, [11] and the island will also receive fewer Danish subsidies, which currently account for about 30% of Greenland's GDP. [8]

Home rule is government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens. It is thus the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been decentralized to it by the central government.

Law enforcement in Greenland, a constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark, is provided by a branch of the Rigspolitiet, the Danish national police service. Since 2006, Greenland has constituted one of the 12 police districts of the Rigspolitiet, headed by a commissioner based in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

The government of Greenland does not have control of Greenland's military or foreign affairs. The defence of Greenland is the responsibility of the Kingdom of Denmark. However, following the November 2008 referendum on increased autonomy, which attracted significant popular support, the governments of Greenland and Denmark have agreed to a 30-point package that will begin to give Greenland greater powers over defence and foreign affairs.

ChoiceVotes%
Yes check.svg Yes21,35575.54
No6,66323.57
Invalid or blank votes2500.89
Total votes28,268100.00
Registered voters and turnout39,28571.96
Source: Valg

The result was met with some skepticism by Danish politicians. Per Ørum Jørgensen, who helped negotiate the agreement, said that it may be "30–40 years" before Greenland is ready to take charge of itself. MP Søren Espersen from the Danish People's Party controversially claimed that Greenlanders had been "brainwashed with unprecedented propaganda" and that he believed "huge problems are waiting in the future". [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

Telecommunications in Greenland include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.

Flag of Greenland flag

The flag of Greenland was designed by Greenland native Thue Christiansen. It features two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of centre. The top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white. The entire flag measures 18 by 12 parts; each stripe measures 6 parts; the disk is 8 parts in diametre, horizontally offset by 7 parts from the hoist to the centre of the circle, and vertically centered.

Siumut is a social-democratic political party in Greenland. The party was an observer affiliate of the Socialist International. Siumut is led by the current Greenlandic Premier Kim Kielsen. Until September 2014 it was led by Aleqa Hammond, who was the first woman to lead the party.

Inuit Ataqatigiit Political party in Greenland

Inuit Ataqatigiit is a democratic socialist and separatist political party in Greenland striving to make Greenland an independent state. The party, founded in 1976, was born out of the increased youth radicalism in Denmark during the 1970s. Formerly in favour of a socialist economy the party has gradually moved towards a more pragmatic approach supporting a market economy and privatisation. It believes that an independent Greenland should be competitive.

Pituffik Place in Greenland, Kingdom of Denmark

Pituffik is a former settlement in northern Greenland, located at the eastern end of Bylot Sound by a tombolo known as Uummannaq, near the current site of the American Thule Air Base. The former inhabitants were relocated to the present-day town of Qaanaaq. The relocation and the fallout from the 1968 Thule Air Base B-52 crash in the vicinity are a contentious issue in Greenland's relations with Denmark and the United States.

The unity of the Realm political relationship between the constituent countries of the Kingdom of Denmark

The term "the unity of the Realm" refers to the relationship between Denmark proper, the Faroe Islands and Greenland—three countries constituting the Kingdom of Denmark.

Greenlandic krone

The Greenlandic krone was a planned currency for Greenland, plans of which were abandoned in 2009. The same name is often used for currency issued during Greenland's time as a Danish colony. The name krone is derived from the Danish krone, introduced in an 1873 currency reform that replaced Danish mark and skilling.

A consultative referendum on home rule was held in Greenland on 17 January 1979. Just over 70.1% of voters voted in favour of greater autonomy from Denmark, leading to the establishment of a Greenlandic Parliament and Greenland gaining sovereignty in areas such as education, health, fisheries and the environment.

General elections were held in Greenland on 2 June 2009. Prime Minister Hans Enoksen announced the election date on 15 April 2009, stating that he would prefer for a newly elected parliament to administer Greenland when the self-government reform takes effect on 21 June 2009. The reform gave more power to the Greenlandic parliament with decisions on most issues being devolved to the parliament but defence and foreign affairs remaining under the control of Denmark.

Kuupik Kleist Greenlandic politician

Jakob Edvard Kuupik Kleist is a Greenlandic politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Greenland between 2009 and 2013. A member of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, he was the first Prime Minister not affiliated with Siumut.

Greenlandic Inuit ethnic group

The Greenlandic Inuit are the indigenous peoples and the most populous ethnic group in Greenland. Most speak Greenlandic and consider themselves ethnically Greenlandic. People of Greenland are citizens of Denmark.

KNI A/S

KNI A/S or Greenland Trade is a trading conglomerate in Greenland. It is the successor to the Royal Greenland Trading Department, which controlled the government of Greenland itself from 1774 to 1908 and possessed a monopoly on Greenlandic trade from 1776 to 1950. Today, the company remains a major component of the Greenlandic economy and remains fully owned by the local government. The company is based in Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Greenland's second-largest city, located in mid-western Greenland's Qeqqata Municipality.

Greenlandic independence

Greenlandic independence is a political ambition of some political parties, advocacy groups, and individuals of Greenland, an autonomous country of the Kingdom of Denmark, to become an independent sovereign state.

Aleqa Hammond Prime Minister of Greenland since 2013

Aleqa Hammond is a Greenlandic politician and member of the Danish Folketing (parliament). Formerly the leader of the Siumut party, she became Greenland's first female Prime Minister after her party emerged as the largest parliamentary faction in the 2013 elections. In 2014 she stepped down as Prime Minister and leader of Siumut, following a case of misuse of public funds. She was expelled from Siumut on 23 August 2016 after yet another case of misuse of public funds and became an independent. On 31 March 2018 she announced that she is running in the 2018 Greenlandic parliamentary election for the Siumut breakaway Nunatta Qitornai.

Danish Greenlanders are Danish immigrants in Greenland and their descendants.

County of Greenland, Denmark

The County of Greenland was an amt (county) of Denmark, comprising Greenland and its associated islands, before home rule was granted to Greenland.

References

  1. ↑ Cowell, Alan (26 November 2008). "Greenland Vote Favors Independence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  2. ↑ Ukiortaami oqalugiaat 2008 Archived 2007-06-20 at Archive.is Namminersornerullutik Oqartussat, 2 January 2008 (in Greenlandic)
  3. ↑ Namminersorneq pillugu paasititsiniaaneq [ permanent dead link ] Namminersornerullutik Oqartussat, 7 January 2008 (in Greenlandic)
  4. ↑ "Report from the Commission on Self-Governance, March 2003" (PDF).[ permanent dead link ] Namminersornerullutik Oqartussat
  5. ↑ "Facts and figures about Greenland". International Herald Tribune. 2008-11-26. Archived from the original on 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  6. ↑ Greenland in figures 2008 (PDF) (5th revised ed.). Statistics Greenland. Greenland Home Rule Government. July 2008. p. 19. ISBN   9788798678724. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "Offentlige finanser 2008:2" (PDF) (in Danish). Statistics Greenland. 2008. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2008-11-18. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 Greenland votes for more autonomy Archived 2008-11-27 at the Wayback Machine . BBC News, 26 November 2008
  9. ↑ Referendum set to give Greenland more autonomy Archived 2009-06-27 at the Wayback Machine . Trend News, 8 November 2008
  10. 1 2 3 McSmith, Andy (2008-11-27). "The Big Question: Is Greenland ready for independence, and what would it mean for its people?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  11. ↑ Cowell, Alan (2008-11-26). "Greenland Vote Favors Independence". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-12-16. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  12. ↑ "Danish doubts over Greenland vote". BBC News. 2008-11-27. Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
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