Democrats (Greenland)

The Democrats (Greenlandic: Demokraatit [temokʁaːt͡sit]; Danish: Demokraterne) is a liberal, unionist political party in Greenland.

Democrats Demokraatit
Danish name	Demokraterne
Abbreviation	D
Leader	Jens Frederik Nielsen
Political Vice	Steen Lynge
Organizational Vice	Nivi Olsen
Founded	28 November 2002 (2002-11-28)
Headquarters	Inatsisartut, 3900 Nuuk
Youth wing	Demokraatit Inuusuttaat
Ideology	Greenlandic unionism[1] Social liberalism[1]
Political position	Centre[2] to centre-right[3][4]
National affiliation	Conservative People's Party (2007–2010) Danish Social Liberal Party (since 2012)
Nordic affiliation	Centre Group
Colors	Dark blue   Red   White
Inatsisartut	3 / 31
Municipalities	4 / 81
Folketing (Greenland seats)	0 / 2
Website
www.demokraatit.gl
Politics of Greenland Political parties Elections

The party is skeptical of Greenlandic independence and even further self-governance. It has taken over this position from the Atassut party, which has developed towards favouring more autonomy.^[5] Two of the major priorities in its programme are improving educational standards and the housing situation.^[2]

History

Established in 2002, the party won five seats in the elections that year. It increased its seat total to seven in the 2005 elections, but was excluded from power by a so-called "Northern Lights Coalition" of Siumut, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Atassut.^[6] Its number of seats decreased to four in the 2009 elections; however, it entered a government coalition with Inuit Ataqatigiit and the Association of Candidates, removing the formerly dominant Siumut from power for the first time in its history.^[2] In the 2013 elections, the party won only two seats, but gained two more seats at the 2014 elections. In the 2018 elections, the party gained an additional two seats. It shrank to three in the 2021 elections.

Election results

Parliament of Greenland (Inatsisartut)

Election year	votes	% of vote	seats won	±
2002	4,558	15.9 (#4)	5 / 31	New
2005	6,595	22.8 (#2)	7 / 31	2
2009	3,620	12.7 (#3)	4 / 31	3
2013	1,870	6.2 (#5)	2 / 31	2
2014	3,469	11.8 (#3)	4 / 31	2
2018	5,712	19.5 (#3)	6 / 31	2
2021	2,454	9.3 (#4)	3 / 31	3

Parliament of the Kingdom of Denmark (Folketinget)

Election year	votes	% of Greenlandic vote	Seats won	±
2005	4,909	21.7 (#3)	0 / 2	New
2007	4,584	18.5 (#3)	0 / 2	0
2011	2,882	12.6 (#3)	0 / 2	0
2015	1,753	8.5 (#3)	0 / 2	0
2019	2,258	11.0 (#3)	0 / 2	0
2022	3,656	19.0 (#3)	0 / 2	0

References

1. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2018). "Greenland/Denmark". Retrieved 27 September 2018.
2. Lansford, Tom, ed. (2014). Political Handbook of the World 2014. CQ Press. p. 393.
3. Loukacheva, Natalia (2007). The Arctic Promise: Legal and Political Autonomy of Greenland and Nunavut. University of Toronto Press. p. 55.
4. "Greenland election shows divide over rare-earth metals mine". The Independent. 6 April 2021.
5. Loukacheva (2007). The Arctic Promise. p. 61.
6. Hicks, Jack (9 December 2005). ""Northern lights" coalition a return to normal for Greenland politics". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

External links

• Official website