INATISIARTUT THIS WEEK
The autumn collection is in full swing. Here you get an overview of some of the proposals that the politicians will discuss in the coming week.
This week Inatsisartut must meet for four days – Tuesday to Friday.
But what should they debate? Sermitsiaq has read the preliminary agendas and made an extract of proposals.
Defense agreement
Will Inatsisartut approve the defense agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the USA, which the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), signed in September?
They must decide that on Tuesday 3 November, when the defense agreement is seconded by Inatsisartut.
The agreement includes, among other things, the possibility of more US military bases on Greenlandic soil, economic opportunities for Greenlandic companies and a Greenlandic obligation to become part of Nato upon independence.
During the first reading, all parties supported it, but there are different demands from the parties in Inatsisartut.
The agreement has since been considered by the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Committee. In its report, a majority of the committee consisting of Demokraatit, IA and Atassut writes that they recommend the proposal for adoption. However, they encourage Naalakkersuisut to include all parties in the further work.
Naleraq comes up with a minority opinion, in which they write that they are upset that there is no support for a referendum on the agreement. Naleraq cannot agree with the committee’s majority report, but it is uncertain whether they will still vote for the proposal.
The agreement must be approved by both Inatsisartut and the Folketinget. On Tuesday, Inatsisartut will vote, while the Danish Parliament will first consider the agreement on 12 November.
Disability Act
On Wednesday 4 November, Inatsisartut will second-read Naalakkersuisut’s bill on support for people with disabilities.
The proposal contains, among other things, new support options, better case management, increased focus on prevention, the option of looking after relatives, better transition from youth to adulthood and strengthened rights for visiting trips.
The bill was referred to the Family and Health Committee after the first reading, and a majority of the committee recommends the proposal for adoption, but requests that it be referred back to the committee before the third reading, so that they can deal with an expected amendment from Naalakkersuisut.
In consultation responses to the proposal, the country’s municipalities have pointed out that it will be difficult to implement the new measures with the allocated grant. They fear that the real additional expenses will be significantly higher than Naalakkersuisut’s calculations.
To this, the naalakkersuisoq for health and persons with disabilities, Anna Wangenheim (D), has written in her response note that almost half a billion kroner has already been incorporated into the municipal block grant relating to disability benefits.
Upskilling of labour
On Wednesday 5 November, Inatsisartut will give second consideration to a proposal from Hans-Erik Enoksen (D), who wants concrete action plans for targeted upskilling of local labor in connection with mining projects.
– It cannot be right that large mining projects are established in Greenland, while local citizens have to see the workplaces being occupied by labor from outside, because we as a society have not provided the necessary skills, courses and certificates in time, he said during the first hearing.
Demokraatit wants the action plans to contain, among other things, a mapping of the necessary skills and certificates, concrete proposals for courses and continuing education offers, as well as a model for cooperation between Naalakkersuisut, the municipalities and the mineral companies.
Naalakkersuisut has come up with an amendment that states that Naalakkersuisut, on the basis of an unbiased competence analysis, must launch competence-giving initiatives where concrete needs have been identified.
Finance Act
Friday 6 November there is only one thing on the agenda: Finance Act for 2027.
The finance bill has already been considered once in September. It was supposed to be seconded last week, but it was postponed until this week.
Naalakkersuisut budgets that next year the national treasury will have a deficit of DKK 89 million on operations, construction and lending. However, this may change during Inatsisartut’s consideration of the bill and negotiations during the autumn.
Da naalakkersuisoq for finance, Aqqaluaq B. Egede (IA), presented the finance bill on 20 Septemberit appeared that, among other things, 20 million kroner must be set aside for a new school in Ilulissat, the disabled area must be lifted, and Naalakkersuisut will set aside 250 million kroner to complete the airport in Qaqortoq.
During the first reading, the finance bill was referred to Inatsisartut’s Finance and Tax Committee. There has not yet been a report from the committee.
