Greenland's parliament had to postpone votes due to absence
The coalition accuses the opposition party Naleraq of failing to show up, leaving parliament unable to vote.
Chairman of Inatsisartut Kim Nielsen before a session in February 2026. (Photo: © Christian Klindt Sølbeck, Ritzau Scanpix) 1 min. ago
Greenland's parliament, Inatsisartut, had to postpone several votes on Tuesday because there were not enough members present.
This is reported by the Greenlandic media Sermitsiaq, based on a statement from Vivian Motzfeldt on behalf of the parliament's presidium.
- It is sad to note that individual members from a certain party today failed their obligations and would not participate in the work that voters have entrusted us with responsibility for, and which we receive our salary to carry out, she writes.
She does not name the party, but the coalition parties Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, and Atassut on Tuesday directed their criticism at the opposition party Naleraq in a joint press release.
Naleraq's members did not show up for a meeting in the chamber. This meant there were fewer than the 16 members required to be present for parliament to make decisions.
Inatsisartut has a total of 31 members.
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'Week 44 is traditionally used for committee work'
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The coalition parties believe that the members, without valid excuse, failed to comply with a request to appear in the chamber.
They therefore want the presidium to review the process and use the options available under the rules of procedure to respond.
Naleraq, in turn, directs criticism at the coalition's own attendance. The party points out that the coalition holds 21 seats and thus has enough members itself to ensure that parliament can make decisions.
Naleraq's chairman, Pele Broberg, asks where the coalition's members have gone, and who decided that they should travel during the session.
Atassut's Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen writes on Facebook that week 44 is traditionally used for committee work and Nordic meetings.
The articles do not state how many members from each party were absent, or which votes had to be postponed.
Sermitsiaq has requested a comment from Inatsisartut's chairman, Kim Kielsen, and from Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Greenland's government.
They had not responded at the time of the articles' publication.
RITZAU
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