Greenland wants to ban foreign political donations

Greenland wants to ban foreign donations to political parties, according to a bill unveiled Monday, over concerns of outside influence as US President Donald Trump insists he wants to acquire the autonomous Danish territory.

The law is intended to “safeguard the political integrity of Greenland”, according to the text of the bill.

As the government holds a majority in the parliament, or Inatsisartut, the bill is likely to pass after it is presented on Tuesday and could come into force immediately.

The initiative “must be considered in light of the geopolitical interests in Greenland and the current situation… where representatives of an allied superpower have expressed their interest in taking over and controlling Greenland,” the text says.

It stipulates that “parties, including local and youth sections, are not allowed to receive contributions from foreign or anonymous donors,” defined as those “who reside or are domiciled outside Greenland”.

Since Trump floated the idea of the United States acquiring the Arctic island, its leaders have repeated that it is not for sale but “open” for business.

Greenland is to hold elections by April 6, and concerns have been raised about possible foreign interference.

“There will be different people, different groups that will try to affect the whole election in Greenland, not only in Greenland, but all over the world,” Aaja Chemnitz, a member of Denmark’s parliament representing Greenland, recently told AFP.

Danish leaders have insisted that Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.

Last week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Paris and Berlin to seek backing from the European Union’s traditional powerhouses against Trump’s threats.