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| Greenlandic general election, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| Election name | Greenlandic general election, 2009 |
| Country | Greenland |
| Type | Parliamentary |
| Previous election | Greenlandic general election, 2005 |
| Previous year | 2005 |
| Next election | Greenlandic general election, 2013 |
| Next year | 2013 |
| Seats for election | 31 seats in the Inatsisartut |
| Majority seats | 16 |
| Election date | 2 June 2009 |
Greenlandic general election, 2009 was held on 2 June 2009 to elect members of the Inatsisartut, the legislature of Greenland. The election occurred amid debates over home rule, self-determination, natural resources like ice sheet mining, and relations with the Kingdom of Denmark. Major parties included Siumut, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Democrats, Atassut, and Nunatta Qitornai advocates.
In the lead-up to the election, Greenlandic politics was shaped by the ongoing transition from home rule to increased autonomy, debates in the Folketing over Danish fiscal arrangements, and discussions with companies such as Greenland Minerals and Energy and Center for Arctic Technology about resource exploration. The incumbent administration, led by Hans Enoksen of Siumut, faced criticism from opposition leaders like Kuupik Kleist of Inuit Ataqatigiit and Per Berthelsen of Democrats. International events including negotiations with the European Union on fisheries and the expansion of NATO interests in the Arctic influenced public discourse alongside local issues in towns like Nuuk, Sisimiut, Qaqortoq, and Ilulissat.
Members of the Inatsisartut were elected under a system of proportional representation using the D'Hondt method across multi-member constituencies corresponding to Greenlandic municipalities and settlements. The electoral framework derived from the Home Rule Act and subsequent amendments to Greenlandic law, with parties required to register under rules overseen by the Ministry of Finance (Greenland). Voter eligibility, district magnitude, and threshold considerations echoed practices found in other Nordic parliaments such as the Althing and the Storting, while campaign finance and media regulations referenced precedents in the Nordic Council.
Major contesting parties included Siumut led by Hans Enoksen, Inuit Ataqatigiit led by Kuupik Kleist, Democrats led by Per Berthelsen, Atassut led by Jens B. Frederiksen and other local figures, and smaller formations including the Association of Candidates and independent lists. Candidates included prominent figures from municipal politics such as Aleqa Hammond, labor representatives from unions associated with Sermersooq Municipality, and activists with ties to cultural institutions like the Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa broadcasting service. Party platforms referenced relations with Denmark, negotiations with Royal Greenland and Greenland Seafood, and positions on infrastructure projects in Kangerlussuaq and Narsaq.
The campaign featured debates on resource development proposals promoted by companies like Greenland Minerals and Energy and concerns raised by environmental groups connected to the Greenlandic Institute of Natural Resources and observers from the Arctic Council. Televised debates on Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa and town hall meetings in Tasiilaq and Upernavik highlighted differences between Siumut's economic development approach and Inuit Ataqatigiit's more cautious stance on mining. The Democrats emphasized fiscal caution and ties with Danish institutions, while Atassut campaigned for strengthened links with the Kingdom of Denmark. International attention from outlets covering the Arctic amplified arguments about sovereignty, while local unions and cultural organizations mobilized voters around welfare and language policy.
The election produced a shift in representation in the Inatsisartut with Inuit Ataqatigiit gaining seats at the expense of Siumut, and the Democrats and Atassut holding key positions. Vote distribution reflected strong showings in urban constituencies such as Nuuk and competitive outcomes in regional centers like Sisimiut and Ilulissat. Turnout levels and seat allocations followed patterns observed in previous contests including the Greenlandic general election, 2005, with consequences for the balance between pro-independence and unionist factions represented by parties like Nunatta Qitornai proponents and unionist-aligned Atassut members.
Following the vote, coalition negotiations involved leaders such as Kuupik Kleist of Inuit Ataqatigiit, Hans Enoksen of Siumut, and figures from the Democrats and Atassut. Discussions referenced frameworks from the Home Rule Act and coordination with the Kingdom of Denmark regarding financial arrangements and foreign affairs prerogatives. The resulting government formation process led to the formation of a coalition that prioritized talks on resource sovereignty, restructuring of municipal competencies in areas like Nunavut-adjacent territories, and negotiation strategies with companies such as Greenland Minerals and Energy and international partners including the European Union. The new administration's mandate influenced subsequent policy debates on autonomy and economic development through the early 2010s.
Category:Elections in Greenland Category:2009 elections Category:2009 in Greenland