The two newly elected members of the Danish Parliament from Greenland, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) and Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) had lunch together in the Snapstinget on Tuesday after their meetings with negotiator Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg.
And it probably won’t be the last time, because the two agree that there is more that brings them together than separates them.
The two newly elected members of the Danish Parliament from Greenland, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) and Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) had lunch together in the Snapstinget on Tuesday after their meetings with negotiator Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg.
And it probably won’t be the last time, because the two agree that there is more that brings them together than separates them.
– We have had open and good conversations with Inuit Ataqatigiit, and even though we are different parties, there is more we agree on than what separates us, says Qarsoq Høegh-Dam.
Both members brought their party chairman with them to Marienborg.
A clear line
After the meeting, party chairman in IA and member of Naalakkersuisut Múte B. Egede tells Sermitsiaq that he and Naaja H. Nathanielsen had entered the negotiations together to show the party’s clear line.
– For us, it has been important to show that Inuit Ataqatigiit is a unit. We stand by what we’ve said for a long time, and there’s still a lot we haven’t finished.
In an update on Facebook, Naaja H. Nathanielsen wrote immediately after the meeting that the party had gone to the negotiation with demands for real equality between the three countries, which presupposes changes to both the constitution and the Self-Government Act.
In addition, they demanded greater decision-making competence, access to confidential information about domestic and foreign affairs, and that all Danish business areas in Greenland be brought to the same standard as in Denmark.
The Constitution and Self-Government Act must be reformed
Facing Sermitsiaq, Naaja H. Nathanielsen elaborates on the party’s demands and expectations for the future Danish government:
– We have a fundamental desire to reform. Equality and equality are really difficult under the current constitution. It was simply written in a time before there was a parliament in Greenland, and it needs updating. The Self-Governing Act also has a few years behind it, and there are some challenges in it. For example, it says that you cannot take over case areas in phases, which makes it difficult for a small administration like ours to take over areas.
– I also believe that we need to get the same level of information. I myself have experienced that information of importance for the case areas I was responsible for was difficult to get hold of. We can do better.
Facilitate and strengthen
For Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it is not about taking something from someone, but about making it flexible and strengthening.
– We ask for equality and access to the same knowledge, so that we stand stronger together. I believe that if you want this Kingdom, you have to reform now. Otherwise, you give space to those with the more polarized expressions and attitudes. And if our ally the United States will continue to threaten us, then there is even more reason for the Kingdom to stand strengthened and not weakened in the future.
Away with the support wheels
Party chairman Múte B. Egede adds:
– In general, it is about equality and our own right to conduct foreign policy. We do not need support wheels in the form of a Danish minister, an ambassador or someone sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for meetings. We share a basis of values with Denmark, and we can stand on our own two feet, which we have also shown in the territories we have taken home, where we lead the foreign policy work ourselves, says Múte B. Egede, who experienced responsiveness from the negotiator.
– Gradually, we have talked a lot about these topics in the last few election periods. We are experiencing an increasing responsiveness politically, but also that things are still going on in the old way in the system. The old dinosaurs are hard to move. We find that we have to repeatedly hit the table hard before things change, and this is not sustainable.
Close dialogue is essential
Neither Inuit Ataqatigiit nor Naleraq will reveal which specific proposal they had for a future government basis.
– We presented a number of wishes for the government foundation, but we do not discuss them in the media, says Múte B. Egede and adds that the current geopolitical situation is still tense and that it requires a close dialogue between Greenland and the allies.
– It is still a difficult situation that we are in, which requires us to cooperate closely with those with whom we are closest allies and with whom we share basic values. Denmark, Greenland and the EU countries must cooperate to re-establish the normal state, where you can count on the allies and that you do not put pressure on each other. This is what the world needs. This is what Greenland needs. And I also believe that the Kingdom needs that. And that is why it is even more important that our wish for real equality is listened to internally in the Kingdom, says Múte B. Egede.
Constructive negotiation
At Naleraq, the atmosphere was also good after the first round of negotiations at Marienborg.
– We had a constructive meeting and the coffee was good, and then the rest must depend on the aftertaste. We follow up on what we said in the election campaign. We expect several follow-up meetings with the negotiator. I don’t know when that will be though. Right now, the Danish parties are finding it difficult to agree, says Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, who during the election campaign said, among other things, that power should be transferred from Denmark to Greenland and that a future prime minister should not interfere in Greenlandic affairs. In addition, he has expressed that Denmark must modernize the areas of responsibility for which they are still responsible before these must be repatriated, and that there must be no militarization in Greenland.
Watchdog in Denmark
Party chairman Pele Broberg also says that they listened attentively and that they repeated their message that their task was to be a watchdog in Denmark.
– I attended the negotiation to ensure that the Danish negotiator understands the seriousness of our policy. Our Member of Parliament will not act in opposition to Naalakkersuisut, but must instead be a kind of watchdog in Denmark, ensuring that the Self-Government Act is followed in the Parliament. We are not interested in changing the Danish constitution or anything else, says Pele Broberg.
