2013 Greenlandic general election explained

Country:Greenland
Previous Election:2009
Election Date:12 March 2013
Next Election:2014
Seats For Election:All 31 seats in the Inatsisartut
Majority Seats:16
Turnout:74.20%
Leader1:Aleqa Hammond
Party1:Siumut
Last Election1:9
Seats1:14
Percentage1:43.22
Leader2:Kuupik Kleist
Party2:Inuit Ataqatigiit
Last Election2:14
Seats2:11
Percentage2:34.73
Leader3:Gerhardt Petersen
Party3:Atassut
Last Election3:3
Seats3:2
Percentage3:8.21
Leader4:Nikku Olsen
Party4:Inuit Party
Last Election4:new
Seats4:2
Percentage4:6.46
Leader5:Jens B. Frederiksen
Party5:Democrats (Greenland)
Last Election5:4
Seats5:2
Percentage5:6.26
Prime Minister
Before Election:Kuupik Kleist
Before Party:Inuit Ataqatigiit
After Election:Aleqa Hammond
After Party:Siumut
Map:Greenland elections 2013.svg
Map Upright:0.7

General elections were held in Greenland on 12 March 2013.[1] The opposition Siumut party emerged as the largest in Parliament, winning 14 of the 31 seats.[2] On 26 March Siumut leader Aleqa Hammond became Greenland's first female Prime Minister.[2] [3]

Electoral system

The 31 members of Parliament were elected by proportional representation in multi-member constituencies.[4] In Nuuk there was just one polling station.[1]

Campaign

The main campaign issue was exploitation of the island's mineral wealth.[1] The ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party supported allowing foreign workers, most of whom would be Chinese, into the country to work in the mining industry, whilst the Siumut party was opposed to the proposal.[1] Rare-earth elements were of particular concern.[5]

Government formation

Following the election results, Siumut leader Aleqa Hammond claimed that she was "in no hurry to form a coalition" and would wait to hear the demands of the other parties.[6] Hammond ultimately formed a government with Atassut and the Inuit Party.[3] Siumut took six of the eight cabinet posts, with Solidarity taking the Health and Infrastructure portfolio and the Inuit Party taking the Environment portfolio.[3]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21750668 Mining question dominates Greenland poll
  2. https://news.yahoo.com/mining-proponents-win-greenland-election-085902372--finance.html Mining proponents win Greenland election
  3. News: Female premier to head Greenland. March 26, 2013. Europe Online Magazine. 26 March 2013.
  4. http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2013 Election Profile
  5. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324077704578357792781721964 Greenland Votes to Get Tough on Investors; New Ruling Party Campaigned to Backtrack on Country's Recent Opening to Investment From Foreign Mining Ventures
  6. http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674greenland_votes_for_change/ Greenland votes for change