Unique Election Campaign in Greenland: Parties Compete Through Songs for Voter Support

In an unconventional twist to political campaigning, parties in Greenland are turning to social media, particularly Facebook, to engage voters with original campaign songs. As the nation prepares for its parliamentary elections on March 11, traditional campaigning methods have been sidelined due to the harsh winter conditions.

In Greenland's capital, Nuuk, which has a population of around 20,000, the streets are devoid of typical electioneering activities such as party booths distributing flyers or promotional items. The extreme cold makes it impractical for candidates to set up campaign stands in public areas. Instead, the electoral contest is taking place primarily online, where political parties are promoting themselves through creatively composed songs.

One of these songs has been crafted by Inunnguaq Petrussen of the liberal Atassut party, who also plays guitar and sings in the accompanying music video. The party currently holds the smallest faction in the parliament with only two representatives. Petrussen, who has worked with various political entities in the past, is now the party's secretary and is instrumental in orchestrating their campaign efforts.

Petrussen expresses confidence that the Facebook algorithm allows for fair exposure of party content across the island, dismissing concerns about the potential for unequal visibility based on algorithmic biases. He believes that the tight-knit nature of Greenlandic society ensures that everyone is privy to the same information, thereby creating a communal bubble rather than isolated echo chambers.

The upcoming election is significant, as it presents voters with a chance to determine Greenland's political trajectory amidst ongoing discussions about its relationship with Denmark and the United States. The urgency of the election was underscored by recent geopolitical tensions, particularly related to former President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to place Greenland under U.S. control.

In preparation for the elections, the Greenlandic Parliament hastily passed a law prohibiting political parties from accepting foreign donations, a measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. This legislation also restricts domestic anonymous contributions to a maximum of 1,000 Danish kroner (approximately 135 euros), reflecting concerns about foreign influence in the political arena.

Six parties are contesting in the election, fielding a total of 213 candidates. The radical independence party Naleraq has positioned itself prominently, presenting the maximum possible number of candidates. Voters in Greenland will cast their votes on a single candidate or party list, a stark contrast to multi-vote systems seen in other democracies.

Engagement with voters has taken on a more personal touch as candidates share glimpses into their lives. For instance, the current Prime Minister, Múte B. Egede, recently posted a photo of his newborn daughter on social media, enhancing his relatability among constituents. The election is marked by a range of promises, including a commitment from Egede's Inuit Ataqatigiit party to reform the self-governance laws, aspiring for greater autonomy from Denmark.

Conversely, Erik Jensen, leader of the Siumut party and current coalition partner, has pledged to initiate independence negotiations with Denmark immediately following the election, advocating for a swift path to a referendum on Greenland's autonomy. This sets the stage for a dynamic electoral landscape where voters will significantly influence their leaders' approaches to independence and governance.