Greenland’s Siumut Party withdraws from government coalition

Greenland’s ruling coalition was dealt a setback on Friday when the center-left party Siumut announced it was withdrawing from the government, adding uncertainty to the administration of Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

The decision was confirmed by Naalakkersuisut, Greenland’s government, in a statement. As part of the move, Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt, will also step down from the coalition.

Nielsen said he regretted the decision but respected the party’s choice.

“It is their decision. I respect it. But I will also be honest and say that I am disappointed,” he wrote on social media.

Despite the departure, Nielsen’s remaining coalition partners still hold 19 of the 31 seats in Greenland’s parliament, the Inatsisartut, meaning the government retains a parliamentary majority. Siumut holds four seats in the chamber.

Dispute over election campaigning

The withdrawal follows days of tension within the coalition government, which until now consisted of Demokraatit, Siumut, Inuit Ataqatigiit and Atassut.

At the center of the dispute were two ministers who recently entered the campaign for seats in Folketing, Denmark’s parliament: Anna Wangenheim of Demokraatit and Naaja H. Nathanielsen of Inuit Ataqatigiit.

Siumut argued that the two ministers should have taken leave from their ministerial posts while campaigning, saying they could not effectively manage both responsibilities at the same time. Nielsen rejected that position, maintaining that the ministers could remain in office during the campaign.

In recent days, Siumut leader Aleqa Hammond had threatened to withdraw the party from the coalition if the issue was not resolved.

The party’s departure raises questions about the stability of Nielsen’s government and whether the remaining parties will attempt to continue governing together or seek a new coalition arrangement.