Greenlandic parliamentary and municipal elections 2021
May 14, 2021 21:27:56 GMT
matureleft and ibfc like this
Post by nelson on May 14, 2021 21:27:56 GMT
A bit late, but a few comments on the Government Agreement.
It has remarkably few Naleraq fingerprints other than being more vague and fluffy than if IA had written it themselves, and postponing a number of hard decisions.
It promises a new political culture, with more transparency, inclusion (both of the public, stakeholders on issues and opposition parties), broad agreements in parliament about the big decisions, new parliamentary procedures etc., in stark contrast to Kim Kielsen's autocratic and obscuring style. It's general tone is warmer and softer, and it includes some almost poetic passages.
As one would expect of a compromise between a leftist and a populist party it includes a lot of generous spending proposals (esp. on welfare) with few suggestions on financing - and how to make up for lost mining royalties from uranium mining, all financing issues are being kicked down the road (commissions etc.). Its development and business policies are ambitious, but somewhat fluffy (a new think tank on business development etc.). Promises of a more fair tax system and comprehensive tax reform, but hold in very general terms (Naleraq aren't keen on proportional income tax), a new fishing law and a review of the controversial "Airport Package", but nothing concrete.
- All mining of radioactive materials will be banned.
- More power to the municipalities and local communities within the municipalities.
- Increased welfare for the weak and vulnerable (children, disabled, poor people, settlement dwellers etc.). Maternity care in all local communities (very ambitious). Abolition of homelessness by 2035 with focus on preventive measures/early response, massive investments in public housing and grants and land to people who'll build their own houses.
- Ditching the previous government's plan to privatize the biggest fishing company Royal Greenland.
- One new big hydroplant and a big extension of another to increase energy independence and combat climate change.
- Fishing quotas are to be based on biological data and models, and closely monitored (IA's approach to fishing policy). Fishing companies get access to quotas not used by coastal fishermen.
- The EU's fishing quotas in Greenlandic waters are to be cancelled (phased out over a few years) and redistributed to Greenlandic fishermen (since the EU offers a lot of aid to Greenland and privileged access to the Inner Market, which they'll probably scale down if denied access to the fish stocks, that's a big decision.
- Greenland to take over food security from Denmark (costly). So far only mining and off-shore work environment have been transferred to Grenland of the 30+ areas that the 2009 Self-Government Law allowed Greenland to take over, and that'll add another. Danish practices are often claimed to be at odds with Greenlandic food culture (too strict and inflexible), but they'll have to obey international standards due to requirements in overseas markets, but maybe they can simplify procedures a bit.
- Moderate and gradualist language on independence, focus on strengthened collaboration with Denmark on foreign policy, increased Greenlandic influence on security policy via Realm institutions. Very much an IA approach.
- Making Greenlandic culture a specific subject in elementary school.
- Reopening of the country after the pandemic, but "full lifting of all Covid restrictions can take years".
It has remarkably few Naleraq fingerprints other than being more vague and fluffy than if IA had written it themselves, and postponing a number of hard decisions.
It promises a new political culture, with more transparency, inclusion (both of the public, stakeholders on issues and opposition parties), broad agreements in parliament about the big decisions, new parliamentary procedures etc., in stark contrast to Kim Kielsen's autocratic and obscuring style. It's general tone is warmer and softer, and it includes some almost poetic passages.
As one would expect of a compromise between a leftist and a populist party it includes a lot of generous spending proposals (esp. on welfare) with few suggestions on financing - and how to make up for lost mining royalties from uranium mining, all financing issues are being kicked down the road (commissions etc.). Its development and business policies are ambitious, but somewhat fluffy (a new think tank on business development etc.). Promises of a more fair tax system and comprehensive tax reform, but hold in very general terms (Naleraq aren't keen on proportional income tax), a new fishing law and a review of the controversial "Airport Package", but nothing concrete.
- All mining of radioactive materials will be banned.
- More power to the municipalities and local communities within the municipalities.
- Increased welfare for the weak and vulnerable (children, disabled, poor people, settlement dwellers etc.). Maternity care in all local communities (very ambitious). Abolition of homelessness by 2035 with focus on preventive measures/early response, massive investments in public housing and grants and land to people who'll build their own houses.
- Ditching the previous government's plan to privatize the biggest fishing company Royal Greenland.
- One new big hydroplant and a big extension of another to increase energy independence and combat climate change.
- Fishing quotas are to be based on biological data and models, and closely monitored (IA's approach to fishing policy). Fishing companies get access to quotas not used by coastal fishermen.
- The EU's fishing quotas in Greenlandic waters are to be cancelled (phased out over a few years) and redistributed to Greenlandic fishermen (since the EU offers a lot of aid to Greenland and privileged access to the Inner Market, which they'll probably scale down if denied access to the fish stocks, that's a big decision.
- Greenland to take over food security from Denmark (costly). So far only mining and off-shore work environment have been transferred to Grenland of the 30+ areas that the 2009 Self-Government Law allowed Greenland to take over, and that'll add another. Danish practices are often claimed to be at odds with Greenlandic food culture (too strict and inflexible), but they'll have to obey international standards due to requirements in overseas markets, but maybe they can simplify procedures a bit.
- Moderate and gradualist language on independence, focus on strengthened collaboration with Denmark on foreign policy, increased Greenlandic influence on security policy via Realm institutions. Very much an IA approach.
- Making Greenlandic culture a specific subject in elementary school.
- Reopening of the country after the pandemic, but "full lifting of all Covid restrictions can take years".
