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History and Government
History: The first European settlements of Greenland were established on the west coast in the tenth century. Responsibility is usually credited to Eric the Red, reputedly the son of a Norwegian chieftain banished from his home in Iceland for murder. The colonists accepted Norwegian sovereignty around 1260, which lasted until the marginal lifestyle of the settlements finally led to their collapse in the 16th century. The territory was then unoccupied by Europeans until Denmark took possession of it during its own phase of colonial expansion in the early 18th century. It became an integral part of the Danish realm in 1953. A referendum in 1979 approved home rule within the Kingdom of Denmark, with about 75 per cent voting in favour of internal autonomy, allowing defence, foreign policy and constitutional matters to remain in the hands of Denmark. Subsequently, a new 21-member parliament was set up, since expanded to 31 seats. In 1982, in another referendum, the population voted by a narrow majority to leave the EC (as it then was) which they had joined as part of Denmark in 1972. Greenland is now an overseas territory in association with the EU. Another source of conflict between Greenland and Denmark has been the presence of a major American military radar installation at Thule in the north, which may be involved in a future US missile defence system. While most of the population would prefer it removed, the Danish government says that it is bound by treaty obligations. The issue also led to the collapse of Greenland’s coalition government in March 1987. This was an alliance of the left-wing nationalist Siumit (Forward) – the political party which grew from the nationalist opposition movement to European membership back in the 1970s – and the centrist Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA, Inuit Brotherhood). These two, plus the conservative Atassut (Solidarity) party, were the main political parties in the territory. Coalition governments have controlled the Government for the last 20-odd years: the most recent poll in February 1999 saw Siumut win the largest number of seats and form a governing coalition with Attasut under the premiership of veteran Siumit leader Jonathan Motzfeldt.
Government: Executive power rests with the five-member Landsstyre, excepting defence, foreign affairs and justice for which the Danish government is responsible. Its members are drawn from the local legislature, the Landsting (Inatsi-Satut), which has 31 members elected for four years.
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