qajaq (Caseimage)
25 June 2009

A step closer to full autonomy

By Jesper Hansen

The new Greenlandic self governance was implemented at the Greenlandic National Day, June the 21st

The 21st of June was a festive day in Greenland. It is the years longest day, it is the Greenlandic National Day and this year it was the day where the new Greenlandic self governance was implemented.

With the new self governance the country took a step closer to full autonomy after 30 years with the so called home rule government.

The day was celebrated all over the country. In the capital Nuuk most of the Danish Royal family and several Danish ministers took part in the celebrations.

The official handover of the self governance law was done by Queen Margrethe II, accompanied by her husband, the Crown Prince couple and Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and the documents were received by the Chair of the Greenlandic parlament Josef Motzfeldt.

‘For years we have considered Home Rule a temporary station, but one can't flourish in a no-man's land and that's why it was necessary to continue with the peaceful development of our co-existence,' said Motzfeldt.

Greenland will continue to remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark and be subject to its constitution, but Greenlanders will now be treated as separate people under international law. Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) will become the official language for the 57,000 inhabitants.

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The self governance allows the Greenlandic people to decide themselves in which direction they want to sail.

(Photo: Jesper Hansen)