Parliament’s 700 million kroner offer to fund Greenland’s airports splits island’s coalition

An apparently generous gesture from Denmark has ended up provoking a political crisis

Ross McPherson

The government has offered to plough 700 million kroner into three airport projects in Greenland.

If approved, the Danish state will become a co-owner of the refurbished and extended airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat and a new one to be built at Qaqortoq.

PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen has stated that he hopes the pledge will prove to be an important milestone along the way towards Greenland’s desire to become more self-supporting.

Rasmussen also suggested Denmark could guarantee a further loan of 450 million kroner from the Nordic Investment Bank at a low interest rate.

Reducing the financial risk
“The agreement will save money for Greenland. Denmark will bear some of the financial burden and this will lessen the risk to the Greenlandic government,” he stated.

The agreement is conditional on both the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments agreeing.

Politically toxic
The offer has already had a huge impact in Greenland.

Partii Naleraq has withdrawn from its coalition with Siumut, the party of PM Kim Kielsen, warning that any deal with Denmark will make independence, one of its main goals, less likely.

Partii Naleraq holds three seats, and its departure will see Siumut continue with a parliamentary minority.

Keeping China at bay
According to a poll, most Greenlanders would be against secession if it caused a decrease in living standards. As an independent country, Greenland would no longer receive the annual block grant from the Danish government.

Experts say that without Danish funding, Greenland could become a hub for Chinese investment, thus paving the way for Chinese influence.

The defence minister, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, has already expressed his concern about an increased Chinese presence.

TOP STORIES

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs