President Trump keeps saying he wants to “get” Greenland. On Tuesday, Greenland votes for a new parliament that could shape its future relations with the United States.
The air inside the community hall in Greenland’s capital was thick with warmth, a welcome contrast to the icy streets outside. As voters brushed snow from their coats, candidates from most of Greenland’s major parties sat down in the front of the room, ready for questions.
Every seat was filled, two dozen international journalists lined the walls and a man in a black and gray sweater stepped forward to the mic.
“Why is running a small business still so difficult?” he asked, his voice steady but impatient.
Cameras clicked and so did the strap-on spikes that several journalists wore on their boots to keep from slipping on the ice.
“You need to take those off,” the moderator said. “They’re ruining the floor.”
With some grumbles, the spikes came off.
On Tuesday, Greenlanders will cast their votes in what has to be the most closely watched election this island has ever held, as President Trump asserts again and again that he wants the United States to take over Greenland. He has refused to rule out force, and in his recent speech to Congress, he made a direct plea to the Greenlanders themselves, promising, “We will make you rich.” All the attention he has paid has drawn a wave of journalists, diplomats, social media influencers and investors to the Arctic.