Politics of Greenland

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Greenland

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Greenland


See also: Politics of Denmark

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Politics of Greenland takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Danish dependency, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Greenland is a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Greenland (known as Landsting). The party system is dominated by the social democratic Forward, the separatist and socialist Inuit Community and the conservative liberal Feeling of Community. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

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[edit] Executive branch

The monarch of Denmark is also head of state of Greenland. She is represented by a High Commissioner, appointed by her. The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and leads the Landsstyre.

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
Queen Margaret II of Denmark 14 January 1972
High Commissioner Gunnar Martens 1995
Prime Minister Hans Enoksen Forward 14 December 2002
Other government party Inuit Community

[edit] Legislative branch

Greenland has a unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms). Two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing at the last Danish elections, Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1.

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Greenland. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Greenland.
[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 15 November 2005 Parliament of Greenland election results
Parties Votes
2005
% 2005 Seats 2005 % 2002 Seats 2002
Forward (Siumut) 8855 30,7 10 28,5 10
Democrats (Demokraatit) 6596 22,8 7 15,9 5
Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) 6517 22,6 7 25,3 8
Feeling of Community (Atassut) 5527 19,1 6 20,2 7
Independents (Kattusseqatigiit) 1170 4,1 1 5,3 1
Others 216 0,8 - 4,8 -
Total, Turnout 74,9% (2002: 74,6%)   31   31
Source: Namminersornerullutik Oqartussat

[edit] Judicial branch

High Court or Landsret.

[edit] Administrative divisions:

3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Danish: Nordgrønland), Tunu (Danish: Østgrønland), Kitaa (Danish: Vestgrønland)

[edit] Diplomatic representations

With Denmark having responsibility for Greenland's international affairs, other countries do not have direct diplomatic representation in Greenland -- their embassies or consulates in Denmark are responsible for their relations with Greenland and their citizens in Greenland. Greenland is represented internationally by the embassies and consulates of Denmark, although Greenland does directly participate in some Nordic organisations which provide membership for dependent territories.

[edit] International organization participation

Nordic Council, Nordic Investment Bank