Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Greenland

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Greenland.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Administrative Divisions: 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)
Legal System: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: See Denmark
Executive Branch: chief of state: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE (since 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Mute B. EGEDE (since 23 April 2021) cabinet: Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland) is appointed by the prime minister and is accountable to the parliament (Inatsisartut) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by the Inatsisartut (usually the leader of the majority party or coalition); election last held on 6 April 2021 election results: Mute B. EGEDE elected prime minister following his party's victory in the April 2021 parliamentary election note: government coalition led by Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA); Greenland exercises self-rule under the 2009 Act on Greenland Self-Government, granting broad autonomy from Denmark while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark
Legislative Branch: unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, Inuit Ataqatigiit 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1
Judicial Branch: High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)
Political Parties: Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark) [Finn KARLSEN]; Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center party with no official platform [leader NA]; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN]
Head of State: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark
Head of Government: Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist
Cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties
Elections: monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party)
Election Results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979)
National Holiday: June 21 (longest day)
International Organization Participation: NC, NIB
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Nuuk (Godthaab)
Location: 64 11 N, 51 45 W
Time Difference: UTC-2 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Time zone note: Greenland has four time zones
History: "Nuuk" is the Inuit word for "cape" and refers to the city's position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: No regular military forces

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Flag History: The colors come for the flag of Denmark. Thw white stands for the ice covering 83% of the island and the red and white disc symbolize the northern sun with its lower half sunk in the sea.
Date of Adoption: 21 June 1985

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics: Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit Nunarput, utoqqarsuanngoravit niaqqut ulissimavoqq qiinik. Qitornatit kissumiaannarpatit tunillugit sineriavit piinik. Akullequtaastut merletutut ilinni perotugut tamaani kalaallinik imminik taajumavugut niaqquit ataqqinartup saani. Atortillugillu tamaasa pisit ingerlaniarusuleqaagut, nutarterlugillu noqitsigisatit siumut, siumut piumaqaagut. Inersimalersut ingerlanerat tungaalitsiterusuleqaarput, oqaatsit "aviisit" qanoq kingunerat atussasoq erinigileqaarput. Taqilluni naami atunngiveqaaq, kalaallit siumut makigitsi. Inuttut inuuneq pigiuminaqaaq, saperasi isumaqaleritsi.
Anthem Lyrics (English): Our country, which has become so old your head is all covered with white hair. Always held us, your children, in your bosom and gave us the riches of your coasts. As middle children in the family we blossomed here Kalaallit, we want to call ourselves before your proud and honourable head. With a burning desire to develop what you have to give, renewing, removing your obstacles of our desire to move forward, forward. The way of matured societies is our zealous goal to attain; the effect of speech and letters we long to behold. Humbleness is not the course, Kalaallit wake up and be proud! A dignified life is our goal; couragously take a stand.
Anthem History: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (You Our Ancient Land) is the national anthem of Greenland, a dependency of Denmark. The anthem was adopted in 1916, written by Henrik Lund (words) and Jonathan Petersen (music) created the anthem. Since 1979 "Nuna asiilasooq" (The Land of Great Length) is also officially recognised as a national anthem, which is used by the self-governing Inuit people.

Other National Symbols

National Flower
Willow Herb (Epilobium)
The name Willow-herb refers to the willow-like form of the leaves.

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