– Of course I am sorry that Atassut has jumped out of the government, and I think we could have talked about it, but that’s not how it turned out. And that is a condition in politics.
This is what the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), says the day after Atassut withdrew from the coalition.
– Of course I am sorry that Atassut has jumped out of the government, and I think we could have talked about it, but that’s not how it turned out. And that is a condition in politics.
This is what the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), says the day after Atassut withdrew from the coalition.
Atassut’s main board had decided that they would withdraw if Nivi Olsen (D) did not resign as naalakkersuisoq for education, culture, sports and church. Jens-Frederik Nielsen was not notified of the decision in advance.
– I didn’t get any chance from Atassut to react to that situation. I didn’t get word until the day after their main board decided they were going to pull out.
– It is an untenable situation. And I think it’s a shame that they didn’t communicate it properly, because there was no time or chance to do anything. Atassut had made up his mind, and it was regardless of what we think and what would be ready to be done, he says.
However, Atassut’s exit seems to have had the intended effect. Nivi Olsen has resigned as nail polish suisoq. What exactly is the reason, she has not explained, but it is happening after harsh criticism from the opposition and Atassut about the matter of funds for KNQK.
New members of Naalakkersuisut
Naalakkersuisut has therefore lost two members in a few hours. Naalakkersuisoq for social affairs, labor market, families and home affairs, Maritha Broberg (A), resigned with her party. Earlier today, the President’s Department announced that their areas of jurisdiction have been handed over to others in Naalakkersuisut. It is, however, a temporary solution, says the chairman.
– We continue to work. And then we will fill the seats that need to be filled in the next few days.
– I hope it will be as soon as possible, of course. I can’t put a clock on it, but we are working to fill the ministerial posts that are now temporarily held by others.
If new members of Naalakkersuisut are appointed, they must be approved by Inatsisartut.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that he is sorry for how it all turned out. Both that Atassut has left the collaboration and that Nivi Olsen has resigned.
– Nivi has made the decision to ensure that the work for Greenland can continue, and it is a decision that I must respect that she has made, although I am of course very sorry that such a skilled politician and minister is withdrawing from my government.
No new choice
A year and a half ago, four parties – Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut and Atassut – stood together to form a coalition after the elections for Inatsisartut. Now only two of them remain.
How stable is the coalition?
– Those who are back in the coalition have only one thing in mind in their work, and that is to work for the Greenlandic population and the best for Greenland. The two parties still have an agreement to work on, they still have a majority in parliament. This is what we deal with as parties, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who also denies that there is currently a question of creating a new coalition basis.
Want to try to get Atassut back in Naalakkersuisut?
– Now the task is to fill the two ministerial positions. The task is always to have a coalition and a government with the parties that want to participate and take that responsibility. Now there are two parties that want to take responsibility. It is very heavy and important, and we intend to carry it.
At the weekend, people in Nuuk took to the streets to demonstrate and demand a new election for Inatsisartut. But that will not happen, says the chairman of Naalakkersuisut.
– There will be no new election. The coalition is still working towards the objectives we have. We have been through the greatest crisis in history. Now we have the time, space and opportunity to work for the Greenlandic population.
– That work has only just begun.
Demokraatit and IA together have 18 seats in Inatsisartut. They are also supported by reader Kim Kielsen. They thus still have a majority.
