
Greenland Government
Greenland Government: A summary of information about Greenland Government, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Greenland: Government
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Data code
GL
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Government type
parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Capital
Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions
3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)
Independence
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979)
National holiday
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system
Danish
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS (since NA 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NA September 1997) cabinet: Landsstyre is formed from the Parliament on the basis of the strength of parties elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 11 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: Jonathan MOTZFELDT reelected prime minister, receiving 23 out of 31 votes note: government coalition - Siumut and Atassut
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 17 February 1999 (next to be held by NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 35.2%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 22%, Atassut Party 25.2%, Candidate's League 12.3%; seats by party - Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 7, Candidate's League 4, independent 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on NA March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002); percent of vote by party - Siumut 35.6%, Atassut 35.2%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Atassut 1; Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties
Judicial branch
High Court or Landsret
Political parties and leaders
Akulliit Party ; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark) ; Candidate's League ; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) ; Issituup (Polar Party) ; Siumut (Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark)
International organization participation
NC, NIB
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white