Atassut has resigned from Naalakkersuisut because they believe that Nivi Olsen should have resigned as naalakkersuisoq.
Updated 19.55 with statement from Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Atassat is not longer part of the coalition. They write this in a press release.
The main board of the party has decided unanimously at a meeting yesterday, November 8, to leave Naalakkersuisut.
The decision is due to the recent events between Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut. Atassut believes that Nivi Olsen should take responsibility for the matter of funds for KNQK and resign as a member of Naalakkersuisut.
However, the coalition decided that Nivi Olsen must continue, and did not listen to Atassut’s views, they write in the press release.
Atassut believes that there is no fair and responsible political leadership in the coalition. Therefore, Atassut is stepping out of the coalition.
Naalakkersuisut was known for misuse of funds
The case they are referring to is that during the processing of the National Treasury’s accounts for 2025, no confidence was raised by the opposition against naalakkersuisoq for education, culture, sports and church, Nivi Olsen (D), on the basis of the handling of the case regarding grants to KNQK.
It appears from the appendices to the debate that Naalakkersuisut was aware that in 2025 KNQK had used part of its grant for purposes other than those stated in the approved budget.
However, Nivi Olsen was saved by the coalition parties, who still had confidence in her. At the first no-confidence vote, Atassut voted for the prevention agenda, but in the subsequent no-confidence motions they abstained from voting to save Nivi Olsen.
Afterwards, however, Atassut was out to say that they were unsure whether they wanted to continue in the coalition.
No one assumes responsibility
– Respect for each other and justice must be fundamental principles. However, this has not been complied with, writes political deputy chairman of Atassut, Bentiaraq Ottosen, on his Facebook page.
He goes on to write that no one has claimed responsibility:
– Atassut stands for justice and orderliness, and that is why we are withdrawing from the coalition. The recent events are unacceptable and responsibility for what happened has been waived. After careful consideration, we have made this decision.
Until today, Maritha Broberg from Atassut has sat as naalakkersuisoq for social affairs, labor market, families and home affairs. As a result, Naalakkersuisut now lacks a minister.
She is the fifth naalakkersuisoq to resign since the election in 2025. Bentiaraq Ottosen (A) resigned as naalakkersuisoq for social affairs, labor market, home affairs and environment after criticism about the work with a new job portal. Mads Pedersen (IA) resigned as naalakkersuisoq for children, young people and families due to personal reasons. Vivian Motzfeldt (D) – at the time a member of Siumut – resigned as naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs and research, when Siumut left the coalition. And Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), resigned as naalakkersuisoq for business, raw materials, the area of justice, energy and equality, when she was elected to the Norwegian Parliament.
However, Demokraatit and Inuit Ataqatigiit still have a majority in Inatsisartut with 18 out of 31 members. Atassut has two sites in Inatsisartut.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen: I am sincerely disappointed
The chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), writes at 19.50 on his Facebook that he is sorry that Atassut has chosen to leave the coalition and that he is disappointed by the way it has happened.
– According to his own statement, Atassut made the decision to leave the collaboration already yesterday. Therefore, I had expected that we, as coalition partners, had been briefed. Especially when today we have sat together and signed a financial law agreement for 2027.
– For me, political cooperation is also about trust and being open to each other, especially when difficult decisions have to be made. Therefore, I am sincerely disappointed that it did not happen this time.
The chairman writes that he would like to thank Atassut for the cooperation and the important decisions they have made together. He will continue to extend his hand to both Atassut and the other parties in Inatsisartut, who will help take responsibility.
– The task before us is bigger than a single party and bigger than a single disagreement. We owe it to the population to create calm, stability and direction, even when political cooperation becomes difficult.
– My focus does not change. We must look after our country, take responsibility and ensure that the political work can continue with the calm and stability that our country needs, concludes Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Sermitsiaq tries to get an interview with the chairman.
