Greenland PM Kim Kielsen to stay as PM following coalition agreement

Kielsen's Siumut party will lead a four-party coalition.

By Reuters May 4, 2018
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Kim Kielsen, Greenland’s Premier, speaks at a press conference. (Kevin McGwin)

Greenland Prime Minister Kim Kielsen today announced he has agreed to lead a government coalition containing his Siumut party and three others Partii Naleraq, Atassut and Nunatta Qitornai.

The island, with just over 40,000 eligible voters, went to the polls on April 24th, with a major subject in the election being a long term goal of independence from Denmark.

[Why election day in Greenland is anything but ordinary]

Kielsen’s Siumut party won 27 percent of the vote, down from 34 percent four years ago.

The second and third biggest parties, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and Demokraterne, were left out of the coalition.

[In cliffhanger election, Greenland’s incumbents cling to power]

Greenland, a part of the Kingdom of Denmark but with self-rule since 2009, relies on fishing and annual grants from Denmark.

Reporting by Emil Gjerding Nielson.