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Greenland’s Parliament Has Approved a New Government

 

Dressed in national costumes and in clear sunny weather, the newly elected Parliament members marched in procession to Annaassisitta Oqaluffia (Nuuk Cathedral) on Monday, April 7.

Members of the new Greenlandic Parliament (Inatsisartut) on the steps in front of Parliament building. Photo: Hanna Hviid

There were smiles on the lips of many of the politicians, and several waved to the citizens present.

At the forefront were Chairman of the Greenland Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Chairman of the Greenland Parliament Hans Enoksen.

The occasion was Parliament’s constituent assembly after the election on March 11. Among other things, they had to approve the new government of Greenland.

But first they held an hour and a half long closed meeting to decide on the eligibility of several elected officials – so much so that a toilet break had to be taken along the way.

Then Kim Kielsen was elected as Chairman of Parliament. He previously held that position from April 2022 to September 2023, when he became Minister for Fisheries and Hunting.

Prime Minister (Chairman): Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D)

Minister for Finance and Taxes: Múte B. Egede (IA)

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research: Vivian Motzfeldt (S)

Minister for Education, Culture, Sports and Community: Nivi Olsen (D)

Minister for Industry, Minerals, etc. Naaja H Nathanielsen (IA)

Minister for the Health and Disability Area: Anna Wangenheim (D)

Minister for children, young people and families: Maasi Pedersen (IA)

Minister for Fishing, Catching, Agriculture and Self-Sufficiency: Peter Borg (D)

Minister for the Social Area, Labor Market, Home Affairs: Bentiaraq Ottosen (A)

Minister for Housing, Infrastructure and Outer Districts: Aqqaluaq B. Egede (IA)

With a newly elected chairman of Parliament, the next item on the agenda was to approve the new government.

Anna Wangenheim nominated Jens-Frederik Nielsen on behalf of the coalition.

Kim Kielsen asked the members of Parliament to vote the old fashioned way by standing up.22 people stood up to vote yes for Jens-Frederik Nielsen to become the new Prime Minister (Chairman). Eight opposition politicians stood up to vote neither for nor against subsequently.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen was in a good mood on this occasion. Photo: Hanna Hviid

The same picture was repeated when the members of Parliament were to be approved. Thus, both Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the other members of Parliament were approved.

Kim Kielsen then called a break. There was shaking of hands and congratulations thrown around to the new government members.

Source: Sermitsiaq (in Greenlandic)

09.04.2025