Greenland votes in favour of self-rule

[Dompedidomp]

Yesterday's referendum on self-rule for Greenland gave a massive 'yes' vote in favour of a new self-rule arrangement, with Greenland authorities reporting 75.54 percent in favour and 23.57 percent against.

Of a total of 39,285 eligible voters, 71.9 percent took part in the vote - an unusually high turnout for Greenland.

The referendum paves the way for Greenland to take over more of the administrative tasks of the world's largest island, as well as taking over full ownership of its resources.

Greenland's veteran politician Lars-Emil Johansen said the result was better than he had envisaged.

"The nation has now spoken. Now it's not just two Greenland members of the (Danish) Folketing who are talking about independence," Johansen said, adding that he saw the referendum result as a step on the road to full independence.

He went on to thank Danish parties and in particular Prime MInister Anders Fogh Rasmussen for support in developing the self-rule model that has now been carried at referendum.

[Alpheus]

The referendum paves the way for Greenland to take over more of the administrative tasks of the world's largest island, as well as taking over full ownership of its resources.

Resources? Greenland has resources? Like what, ice?

[Dompedidomp]

Danish newspaper
http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/article603103.ece

Oil and gas

[Alpheus]

And fishing. And some mining. I was joking.

[junglejim]

Resources? Greenland has resources? Like what, ice?


I believe now that the ice caps are melting, green land is quite fertile. Who knows that's a big island for farming.

[Fallap]

Good luck with that.

Bets are up! How long will Greenland stay afloat without the ~ 3 billions DKK we pump into them every year?

[AROUETLJ]

Did you know that Greenland is not covered by EU freedom of movement rules? I actually wanted to move to Greenland, but it's close to impossible.

[oldsoak]

If the oil and gas they have are accessible, they'll soon sell out to the highest bidder.

@AROUETLJ - seriously ? The images I have of Greenland are biting cold and darkness in the winter and clouds of mosquitoes in the summer - and the pubs are non-existant....

[LMH]

Greenland is still sovereign Danish territory. The Greenlandic self-rule is granted by Danish grace.

The agreement between the Danish stat and the self-rule authority only allows the Greenlandic self-rule authority to take in $1 billion in royalties from non-renewable resource. Everything after that billion will be divided between the stat and self-rule authority "pending negotiations".


If the oil and gas they have are accessible...

So far, it isn't. Over $500 millions spend on geological and geophysical surveys (hunting for minerals and olie) without any short- or near-term prospects for profitable exploration of oil, gas or minerals. In fact the biggest mine (Nalunaq) closed just last month becaus of poor profitability ($937 exploration costs pr. ounce, marked price $857). Long term prospects, providing global warming, could be fat though.


...they'll soon sell out to the highest bidder.

Obvious, don't that goes for everybody?

[Rudolph]

With such a small population this is suicide.

[Lau]

Good luck with that.

Bets are up! How long will Greenland stay afloat without the ~ 3 billions DKK we pump into them every year?

Exactly! I wish them luck as well, but they have no means to sustained themselves. 2/3 of all 'well educated' people on Greenland are Danes. WTF are they supposed to do without them? I know they wont disappear over night, but within a few decades, Greenland will be seriously screwed!

[IraGlacialis]

With such a small population this is suicide.I would say that there is a chance that it may work if the transition is gradual enough. It looks like it is doing this not only under Denmark's permission but assistance, which will probably help a lot. Much luck to them.

I do know that if global warming goes as predicted, Greenland will benefit a lot.

[Rudolph]

I would say that there is a chance that it may work if the transition is gradual enough. It looks like it is doing this not only under Denmark's permission but assistance, which will probably help a lot. Much luck to them.

I do know that if global warming goes as predicted, Greenland will benefit a lot.

I also wish them luck, but if they ever get attacked or such they'll need to have a good alliance with stronger nations. My personal interest in all these recent liberations stems from the situation in my country. With great interest I follow the stories of independence which is often these days. Someone even suggested an action similar to Slovenia's 10-day war of liberation. Anyway, not to highjack the thread, but there are many minorities around the world who want a chance at self-rule.

[IraGlacialis]

I also wish them luck, but if they ever get attacked or such they'll need to have a good alliance with stronger nations.
...
Anyway, not to highjack the thread, but there are many minorities around the world who want a chance at self-rule.That's why the key is for the independence to be really gradual and with the ruling nation's assistance.
A slow weaning if you will.

[LMH]

Fallap and Lau,

Greenland will still receive 3 billion DDK in subsidies form the stat under the self-rule arrangement.
The truths is there really is very little difference between the home-rule arrangement and the self-rule arrangement.

[Lau]

Fallap and Lau,

Greenland will still receive 3 billion DDK in subsidies form the stat under the self-rule arrangement.
The truths is there really is very little difference between the home-rule arrangement and the self-rule arrangement.

Let them have the 3 billion, as long as we get a good percentage of any future income, oil or gas, I don't care. p-)

[Fallap]

As long as I can get my delicius Royal Greenland schrimps :)

[RuneX2]

Did you know that Greenland is not covered by EU freedom of movement rules? I actually wanted to move to Greenland, but it's close to impossible.It is not an EU member state. It was once, but they left on account of some fishing disagreements. Greenland is actually the only ex-member. It is however (and still) an integral part of Denmark. If you are a Nordic national you can move there without any kind of permission. Also they are constantly screaming for qualified workers. If you have any kind of education, I should imaging they would welcome you with open arms, regardless of where you are from.

Anyway it is only an extension of the current rules, to par those on The Faroe Islands. I have long been in favour of The Danish Kingdom being made into a Federation. With three nations. Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland.

[Kjallakr]

and the pubs are non-existant....

Greenlanders don't need pubs, they drink anywhere at any time. In some towns they stay drunk for weeks in the spring to finish their stocks before the next shipment of spirits arrives.


It is not an EU member state. It was once, but they left on account of some fishing disagreements.


They left as soon as they got home-rule if I remember correctly. The EU has absolutely horrendously direful fishing policy among other things.