Four of Greenland’s five parliamentary parties reached an agreement on Thursday to form a new government, addressing a political vacuum that had followed the March 11 elections. This move came just before U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s arrival on Friday.
The visit, which had sparked controversy, comes amid growing tensions over President Donald Trump’s push to annex Greenland, a plan that has been widely opposed by the island’s residents. Despite Trump’s assertions that Greenland’s security is vital to global stability, a recent poll showed 85% of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S.
Greenland’s political leaders have united in response to Trump’s efforts, with the new coalition expected to hold 23 of 31 parliamentary seats. However, the Naleraq party, which had been part of the negotiations, withdrew. The coalition is seen as a direct message to the U.S. about Greenland’s sovereignty. In addition, the White House revised the itinerary for the Vances’ visit after local backlash, with U.S. officials struggling to find people willing to meet them, given the controversial nature of the trip.
The U.S. vice president framed the visit as part of a broader security effort, although many in Greenland see it as part of an attempt to assert control over the territory. Greenland’s outgoing prime minister, Mute Egede, criticized the visit as a provocation, and the government emphasized its neutrality during the ongoing coalition talks. Despite these tensions, some observers view the timing of the coalition’s formation as a strong statement of unity against the U.S. administration’s aggressive rhetoric.
