Inatsisartut’s chairman, Kim Kielsen (ATT), in a statement defends the coalition parties against accusations of broken promises. The opposition parties distance themselves from the announcement. – In a democracy, it is not the opposition’s task to uncritically thank or simply accept Naalakkersuisut’s work, says Naleraq’s Jens NapãtôK, among others.
Inatsisartut’s chairman, Kim Kielsen (ATT), has issued a press release on Tuesday in which he defends the coalition parties.
– The political ranks always get excited after an election. We see it in Denmark at this time, and we see it in ourselves: “Why do the parties and politicians who gain power always renege on their election promises?“
– The answer to that question – or at least part of the answer – is: 16! – i.e. the number of votes needed to have a majority in Inatsisartut, writes Kim Kielsen, who emphasizes that none of the parties that join together in a coalition can get all their wishes fulfilled – they have to bend to each other and come together in compromises.
In this connection, the chairman also directly criticizes the opposition.
– For the parties that have joined the government together, the opposition’s accusations of broken promises will probably appear as unreasonable as they are easily understandable. These parties must take comfort in the fact that they got power after all – with all the limitations it came with, writes Kielsen.
Naleraq: The presidency has become political
The main opposition party, Naleraq, is surprised that Inatsisartut’s chairman has even sent such a message out publicly.
– With great surprise, we have read Inatsisartut chairman Kim Kielsen’s public statements about the work of the opposition and the work of Naalakkersuisut. At the same time, we see this as confirmation that Inatsisartut’s Presidency has become increasingly politicized.
– In a democracy, it is not the opposition’s task to uncritically thank or simply accept Naalakkersuisut’s work, says Jens NapãtôK’ in a press release.
It is part of Inatsisartut’s chairman’s duty to serve all members equally. But Naleraq believes that this is now gradually disappearing.
– Inatsisartut’s Presidency must protect and serve all members equally in political work. The trends we see today, we have not previously experienced so clearly. That Inatsisartut’s Presidency publicly defends coalition parties to such a large extent is both surprising and deeply problematic, says Jens NapãtôK´.
Siumut: The chairman must not discriminate
The other opposition party, Siumut, is also not satisfied with having been reprimanded by Inatsisartut’s chairman.
– We in Siumut strongly distance ourselves from this, and consider that this action can be perceived as an expression that the chairman is not able to separate his role as chairman of Inatsisartut from political party work.
– The chairman of Inatsisartut is elected by Inatsisartut to lead and to promote Inatsisartut’s work. The office entails that the meetings must be conducted impartially and that the chairman must represent the whole of Inatsisartut – both the Naalakkersuisut coalition and the opposition, says Erik Jensen (S) in a press release from the party.
Siumut also has a clear expectation of how Inatsisartut’s chairman should carry out his work.
– Siumut wants a chairman of Inatsisartut who is independent of party political interests and who professionally serves all members of Inatsisartut. A chairman who loyally respects the wishes of the Inatsisartut members and the tasks they have asked for, a chairman must handle, and who has the will to serve all of Inatsisartut, says Erik Jensen.
Sermitsiaq has tried to get the chairman of Inatsisartut, Kim Kielsen, to comment on the criticism. However, it has not yet been successful when the article is published.
