Malu Kajangmat comes through the door to 2.T’s classroom at GUX in Nuuk.
It is morning and in a little while she and the whole class will go down to Godthåbshallen to vote in the general election. Many will be voting for the first time.
– You feel completely grown up, ilaa? says 18-year-old Liv Cortzen and laughs.
Malu Kajangmat sits down at her table. Friends Fina Winberg and Maria De Renouard sit at the same table.
– Last year I didn’t even know what I wanted to vote for. So there it was a bit more about what my parents did, says Maria De Renouard.
She is 19 years old and was able to vote for the Inartsisart Committee and the municipal election last year.
– I have a little more knowledge this year, she says.
She seems very down to earth and can negotiate without raising her voice. I think we could use that
Malu Kajangmat is one of those who will be voting for the first time. It’s exciting, she thinks, but she’s also frustrated.
– I don’t know who I want to vote for yet, she says.
Maybe she will make the decision when she stands inside the voting booth. Maybe she will end up voting blank, she says.
– It’s just a little difficult because it’s such an important choice, says Malu Kajangmat.
She looks over at her friends who nod. It is especially the situation surrounding Donald Trump that makes this election feel extra important, they think.
It’s getting close to 10 o’clock.
– So, now we go! says their teacher.
– Let’s gooosays one of the students on the way out the door.
– She can negotiate without raising her voice
The snow crunches under the Malu Kajangmats moon boots. Her friend Fina Winberg walks next to her in her long brown winter jacket.
– It’s exciting. I’m excited, says Fina Winberg.
Although the polling station has only just opened, there is life around Godthåbshallen when the two friends and their classmates arrive.
Cars and taxis drive at a snail’s pace up Kissarneqkortuunnuaq, where the different parties have positioned themselves at their respective containers. The parliamentary candidates and other party members stand and greet people.
This year there are a record number of candidates running for the general election. A total of 27 are running this year, while in 2022 there were only 15 candidates to choose from.
– It’s actually a bit crazy, says Fina Winberg.
– Yes, there are quite a few, says Malu Kajangmat and looks at the crowd, the cars and the many flags and banners.
The large selection does not make the choice any easier for Malu Kajangmat.
– I don’t feel that I have heard what everyone wants. I only heard a couple during the election campaign, she says.
In one of the containers, Demokraatit offers Greenlandic cake to voters. Justus Hansen holds out a tin of candies towards Malu Kajangmat and Fina Winberg.
– Max two! shouts the Inartsisartut politician, laughing.
– No, just take it.
Malu Kajangmat and Fina Winberg go on, but only get a few meters before they are stopped by Ineqi Kielsen from Siumut, who gives them a package of yellow wine gummy bears.
Already before today, Fina Winberg has decided who she wants to vote for. It will be Anna Wangenheim from Demokraatit.
– I think she seems very down to earth and can negotiate without raising her voice. I think we could use that, she says.
– And then she is a trained nurse and is in favor of a better healthcare system here in Greenland, which I think is important.
Fina Winberg looks over at Malu Kajangmat.
– I don’t know yet, she says.
A good gut feeling
Inside Godthåbshallen, Fina Winberg and Malu Kajangmat split up.
Fina Winberg stands in the queue, which is reserved for those whose birthday is at the beginning of the month. Malu Kajangmat stands in a queue further away. Her queue is the longest.
It will soon be Fina Winberg’s turn. She approaches the white table and is handed the ballot paper on which she must write the name of the party or candidate she wants to vote for.
She goes into the voting booth, draws the curtain and shortly after comes out the other side. The ballot is smoking in the box.
– It was very straightforward, says Fina Winberg and smiles.
– In and out. I had an easy queue. Malu is going to wait a little longer, I think.
Fina Winberg is excited to hear how her friend is doing. In the meantime, she stands on the side with those from the class who have already voted. One of them is Maria De Renouard.
– It was okay. It was pretty easy. However, I just called my father in there and asked what I should vote for, she says, laughing.
A single person from the class, who has not yet turned 18, just watched.
– I’m the only one under 18 in the class, says Maalia Skifte and sighs deeply.
– And I’m otherwise quite politically active, so it’s pretty low. Three years pass before the next election.
After a few minutes, the trip has finally reached Malu Kajangmat. With the ballot in hand, she goes into the box.
About two minutes later she comes out again. She stuffs the note down through the crack in the ballot box and goes to meet Fina Winberg and the others.
– Aleeshe greets.
– Did you vote? Fina Winberg asks.
Malu Kajangmat nods. She voted for Naaja Nathanielsen, and it feels good in her stomach, she thinks.
– I knew who she was. And she is very keen on equality, and I like that, she says.
She seems relieved.
– Then we just have to do it every four years for the rest of our lives, says Fina Winberg.
The friends laugh and leave the hall together.
