– We must ensure that we can stay living in Greenland

The day before Christmas, the mayor of Avannaata Municipality, Lars Erik Gabrielsen (S), went live on the social media TikTok. Over 6,800 people followed, while in a longer post he shared his reflections on Greenland's situation at a time of increased international interest and political uncertainty.

A tactic for those who become

A tactic for those who become

According to the mayor, it is crucial to take into account those who will remain living in Greenland in a narrow future where the USA may have or will take over Greenland.

– Greenland is a small society. We are few people, and it is we who must stay here – even if the situation worsens. Some can travel to Denmark. The rest of us cannot. Or we consciously choose to stay. Therefore, we have a right to know in which direction our country is moving, he says.

He warns against a debate where Greenland risks making itself unwelcome through anger and rejection – especially in relation to the United States.

– We have not shown ourselves to be the friendly people we are otherwise known for. On the contrary, we get angry as soon as the USA is mentioned. But if we want to ensure that we can live in our own country in peace and without oppression, it requires dialogue, he says.

The dialogue has been uneven

Lars Erik Gabrielsen emphasizes that dialogue is not about submission, but about equality.

– In the last six months, the dialogue has not been equal. That is a problem. Because the actors who are interested in Greenland do not come just to talk. They come because Greenland has strategic importance.

According to the mayor, one must have no illusions that major powers will not engage in Greenland.

– We must not fool ourselves that the US will not come, or that the EU will “win”. The EU and France are weak without the US. And when a great power says that Greenland is important for their security, then it is a reality that we must deal with, he says.

Criticism of closed processes

At the same time, he criticizes the fact that citizens are not sufficiently involved in the decisions that are made.

– We did not go to the polls to have a position on our current situation. We went to the polls to change the Fisheries Act and on mandatory pension savings. If our mandate is used for far-reaching decisions about the country's future without transparency, then it is wrong, he says.

He points out that there is talk of changes to the Self-Government Act, while the block grant is fixed, but that at the same time easier access is given to large grants, including for infrastructure projects such as a new Atlantic quay.

– It can give the feeling that we are being paid to stay without knowing what the plan is, he says.

A call before it's too late

In conclusion, Lars Erik Gabrielsen calls on Greenland to act before the situation escalates.

– When we now hear politicians say that we should engage in dialogue, I say: We should have done that a long time ago. Equally. Not only now, when someone has become angry.

– For those who are fighting for influence will not live here with us if it gets difficult. We will. And therefore our tactics must be clear: Dialogue, openness and respect – so that we can stay living in our own country.