Lars Poulsen (S), a member of Inatsisartut, plans to invite all parties to a dialogue before Inatsisartut’s autumn meeting to discuss Tasiilaq’s situation. – The problems are so big that we will have to take on the task together, regardless of party color, he says

Tasiilaq has a strong political presence in Inatsisartut with 4 out of 31 members – corresponding to 12.9 percent. The clear representation shows that there is great political support and commitment in Tasiilaq, and that the city plays an important role in the national political conversation. 

But what will the four Inatsisartut politicians from Tasiilaq do to rectify the conditions that the citizens of the city have demonstrated against – such as poor internet, supply of goods, the lack of housing, educational opportunities and jobs? 

Tasiilaq has a strong political presence in Inatsisartut with 4 out of 31 members – corresponding to 12.9 percent. The clear representation shows that there is great political support and commitment in Tasiilaq, and that the city plays an important role in the national political conversation. 

Announcement

But what will the four Inatsisartut politicians from Tasiilaq do to rectify the conditions that the citizens of the city have demonstrated against – such as poor internet, supply of goods, the lack of housing, educational opportunities and jobs? 

– Everyone in Greenland has followed the demonstration in Tasiilaq, and as a politician I have sworn to take responsibility for creating better infrastructure, whether it is air connections or internet, which are necessary to create economic development, says Lars Poulsen (S), who is working on a resolution to order the Greenland Government to secure a submarine cable connection between Iceland and Tasiilaq.

Search cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland 

This is despite a negative response to its Section 37 question regarding the construction of a submarine cable between Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit and Qaanaaq, where Tusass has stated that they have no plans for a submarine cable to these locations. 

A submarine cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland will cost 540 million kroner, while the telecommunications company does not have estimates for Ittoqqortoormiit or Qaanaaq. “Tusass has incorporated improvements to the areas via so-called Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, such as Starlink and OneWeb, in its strategic plan for 2025-2028. An agreement has not yet been reached with a LEO operator, but negotiations are ongoing,” the response states.

– Tusass has repeatedly announced that they will improve the internet connection, but consumers criticize the connection for not being good enough and for being slow. When there is a breakdown, all activity in the city stops – you can’t shop or pay with cards, and that’s not good enough. 

– Tusass has been in negotiations about internet connection with satellites since the last election period, without success. We cannot wait any longer. We have spent several election periods promising improvements, and now we have to present a motion for a resolution demanding funding for the purpose, says Lars Poulsen.

Strengthen knowledge about rights 

Iddimanngiiu Bianco (IA) has worked politically to get an airport in Tasiilaq, cultural education and development of fishing in East Greenland. For her, it was hard to join the demonstration in Tasiilaq. 

– Although it was tough, it is the largest demonstration in Tasiilaq that has ever taken place. It gives motivation to work to improve the supply of goods in the city, build an airport and improve the internet that the citizens demand, says Iddimanngiiu Bianco.

 But fundamentally, it is women’s rights that she will work to promote politically. 

– We from East Greenland don’t know much about our rights. Knowledge about rights is very low in the settlements, and they don’t know what they are entitled to. But for me, I would prioritize promoting women’s rights – the right to a safe life, the right to decide over one’s own body (sexual and reproductive rights) and legal certainty. There is a fundamental need to promote knowledge and information about those rights, says Iddimanngiiu Bianco.

Must look into the discrimination 

Justus Hansen (D), who joined both Inatsisartut and the municipal council of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, says that he always works to improve conditions for the population, and that he has a special focus on East Greenland. 

– I believe that East Greenland has been under-prioritized for many years. But as a politician, you always have to see things as a whole. You can’t just look at East Greenland in isolation. However, I am pleased that in the coalition agreement, an agreement has been reached to improve the infrastructure in the east via airport construction. I am sure that these constructions will improve business development and general development, he writes to Sermitsiaq.

He wants to end the discrimination against East Greenland. – In addition, I am very keen to ensure real equality between the populations in the east and west. I am therefore making a specific proposal that the discrimination that currently exists regarding the purchase and sale of alcohol should be looked at, says Justus Hansen.

Cultural education 

Gerth Mikaelsen (N) criticizes West Greenlandic dominance in East Greenland when it comes to culture, language and way of life. – I want to strengthen our culture in Tasiilaq by ensuring education about the culture, which is different from that in West Greenland. One of our country’s greatest assets should be a cultural educational institution. We also have skilled people with knowledge of East Greenlandic culture who can teach it, says Gerth Mikaelsen, who fears the depopulation of East Greenland if development is not ensured.

During his speech to supporters in Nuuk in May, he said that drum dancing and singing had previously been taught in East Greenland, but that this was no longer the case, and that it was helping to suppress traditions. – We have to protect it if we are to achieve independence. A country should strengthen its diversity, he says, pointing out that language, clothing, lifestyle and other cultural topics could be included in the education, where there should also be an East Greenlandic education leader with knowledge of the culture.

Increased energy supply 

Lars Poulsen has previously criticized Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s administration of Tasiilaq and East Greenland for a lack of local democracy and for decisions being made centrally in Nuuk without regard to local conditions and the wishes of the population.

He has advocated for an independent East Greenland municipality to ensure local influence. Now he is demanding that the mayor come forward with plans for the construction of housing in East Greenland. 

– In 2022, I made a proposal to improve the electricity supply in Tasiilaq, and now the capacity has increased by 50 percent. The municipality has previously used the lack of electricity supply as an excuse not to initiate construction and construction projects 

– but that excuse no longer applies. Now it is time for the municipality to step up and present its plans, so that it is clear that Inatsisartut and the municipality are creating development, says Lars Poulsen.

Bridge to East Greenland

Lars Poulsen has a desire to engage in dialogue across parties in order to solve the problems in Tasiilaq. 

– If people are to get out of bad living conditions, then we need to give people hope, says Lars Poulsen, who will invite all parties in Inatsisartut to a meeting before the autumn session to discuss the difficult issues that exist in Tasiilaq. 

– Although members of Inatsisartut have a responsibility to work for the entire country, I will take the initiative to gather all parties for a meeting under the heading: “We must build a bridge to East Greenland.” It is about creating real development – we must act, not just talk. Regardless of party color, we need to stand together and take on the task together, instead of spending our energy discussing how it should be done, says Lars Poulsen.

Iddimanngiiu Bianco looks forward to the invitation for dialogue and recognizes the need for cooperation across the parties.

– During the election campaign, we promised voters that we would cooperate across parties to solve the problems and create development, she says.

Naalakkersuisoq for children, youth and family Mads Pedersen (IA) plans to meet with Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s mayor Avaaraq Olsen (S) in Tasiilaq on June 10-12, where he will also meet with citizens and not least children and youth.

Naalakkersuisoq for Children, Youth and Family Mads Pedersen (IA) plans to meet with Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s Mayor Avaaraq Olsen (S) in Tasiilaq on June 10-12, where he will also meet with citizens and not least children and youth.

Tasiilaq has a strong political presence in Inatsisartut with 4 out of 31 members – corresponding to 12.9 percent. The clear representation shows that there is great political support and commitment in Tasiilaq, and that the city plays an important role in the national political conversation. 

But what will the four Inatsisartut politicians from Tasiilaq do to rectify the conditions that the citizens of the city have demonstrated against – such as poor internet, supply of goods, the lack of housing, educational opportunities and jobs? 

Tasiilaq has a strong political presence in Inatsisartut with 4 out of 31 members – corresponding to 12.9 percent. The clear representation shows that there is great political support and commitment in Tasiilaq, and that the city plays an important role in the national political conversation. 

Announcement

But what will the four Inatsisartut politicians from Tasiilaq do to rectify the conditions that the citizens of the city have demonstrated against – such as poor internet, supply of goods, the lack of housing, educational opportunities and jobs? 

– Everyone in Greenland has followed the demonstration in Tasiilaq, and as a politician I have sworn to take responsibility for creating better infrastructure, whether it is air connections or internet, which are necessary to create economic development, says Lars Poulsen (S), who is working on a resolution to order the Greenland Government to secure a submarine cable connection between Iceland and Tasiilaq.

Search cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland 

This is despite a negative response to its Section 37 question regarding the construction of a submarine cable between Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit and Qaanaaq, where Tusass has stated that they have no plans for a submarine cable to these locations. 

A submarine cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland will cost 540 million kroner, while the telecommunications company does not have estimates for Ittoqqortoormiit or Qaanaaq. “Tusass has incorporated improvements to the areas via so-called Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, such as Starlink and OneWeb, in its strategic plan for 2025-2028. An agreement has not yet been reached with a LEO operator, but negotiations are ongoing,” the response states.

– Tusass has repeatedly announced that they will improve the internet connection, but consumers criticize the connection for not being good enough and for being slow. When there is a breakdown, all activity in the city stops – you can’t shop or pay with cards, and that’s not good enough. 

– Tusass has been in negotiations about internet connection with satellites since the last election period, without success. We cannot wait any longer. We have spent several election periods promising improvements, and now we have to present a motion for a resolution demanding funding for the purpose, says Lars Poulsen.

Strengthen knowledge about rights 

Iddimanngiiu Bianco (IA) has worked politically to get an airport in Tasiilaq, cultural education and development of fishing in East Greenland. For her, it was hard to join the demonstration in Tasiilaq. 

– Although it was tough, it is the largest demonstration in Tasiilaq that has ever taken place. It gives motivation to work to improve the supply of goods in the city, build an airport and improve the internet that the citizens demand, says Iddimanngiiu Bianco.

 But fundamentally, it is women’s rights that she will work to promote politically. 

– We from East Greenland don’t know much about our rights. Knowledge about rights is very low in the settlements, and they don’t know what they are entitled to. But for me, I would prioritize promoting women’s rights – the right to a safe life, the right to decide over one’s own body (sexual and reproductive rights) and legal certainty. There is a fundamental need to promote knowledge and information about those rights, says Iddimanngiiu Bianco.

Must look into the discrimination 

Justus Hansen (D), who joined both Inatsisartut and the municipal council of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, says that he always works to improve conditions for the population, and that he has a special focus on East Greenland. 

– I believe that East Greenland has been under-prioritized for many years. But as a politician, you always have to see things as a whole. You can’t just look at East Greenland in isolation. However, I am pleased that in the coalition agreement, an agreement has been reached to improve the infrastructure in the east via airport construction. I am sure that these constructions will improve business development and general development, he writes to Sermitsiaq.

He wants to end the discrimination against East Greenland. – In addition, I am very keen to ensure real equality between the populations in the east and west. I am therefore making a specific proposal that the discrimination that currently exists regarding the purchase and sale of alcohol should be looked at, says Justus Hansen.

Cultural education 

Gerth Mikaelsen (N) criticizes West Greenlandic dominance in East Greenland when it comes to culture, language and way of life. – I want to strengthen our culture in Tasiilaq by ensuring education about the culture, which is different from that in West Greenland. One of our country’s greatest assets should be a cultural educational institution. We also have skilled people with knowledge of East Greenlandic culture who can teach it, says Gerth Mikaelsen, who fears the depopulation of East Greenland if development is not ensured.

During his speech to supporters in Nuuk in May, he said that drum dancing and singing had previously been taught in East Greenland, but that this was no longer the case, and that it was helping to suppress traditions. – We have to protect it if we are to achieve independence. A country should strengthen its diversity, he says, pointing out that language, clothing, lifestyle and other cultural topics could be included in the education, where there should also be an East Greenlandic education leader with knowledge of the culture.

Increased energy supply 

Lars Poulsen has previously criticized Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s administration of Tasiilaq and East Greenland for a lack of local democracy and for decisions being made centrally in Nuuk without regard to local conditions and the wishes of the population.

He has advocated for an independent East Greenland municipality to ensure local influence. Now he is demanding that the mayor come forward with plans for housing construction in East Greenland. 

– In 2022, I made a proposal to improve the electricity supply in Tasiilaq, and now the capacity has increased by 50 percent. The municipality has previously used the lack of electricity supply as an excuse not to initiate construction and construction projects 

– but that excuse no longer applies. Now it is time for the municipality to step up and present its plans, so that it is clear that Inatsisartut and the municipality are creating development, says Lars Poulsen.

Bridge to East Greenland

Lars Poulsen has a desire to engage in dialogue across parties in order to solve the problems in Tasiilaq. 

– If people are to get out of bad living conditions, then we need to give people hope, says Lars Poulsen, who will invite all parties in Inatsisartut to a meeting before the autumn session to discuss the difficult issues that exist in Tasiilaq. 

– Although members of Inatsisartut have a responsibility to work for the entire country, I will take the initiative to gather all parties for a meeting under the heading: “We must build a bridge to East Greenland.” It is about creating real development – we must act, not just talk. Regardless of party color, we need to stand together and take on the task together, instead of spending our energy discussing how it should be done, says Lars Poulsen.

Iddimanngiiu Bianco looks forward to the invitation for dialogue and recognizes the need for cooperation across the parties.

– During the election campaign, we promised voters that we would cooperate across parties to solve the problems and create development, she says.

Naalakkersuisoq for children, youth and family Mads Pedersen (IA) plans to meet with Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s mayor Avaaraq Olsen (S) in Tasiilaq on June 10-12, where he will also meet with citizens and not least children and youth.

Naalakkersuisoq for Children, Youth and Family Mads Pedersen (IA) plans to meet with Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq’s Mayor Avaaraq Olsen (S) in Tasiilaq on June 10-12, where he will also meet with citizens and not least children and youth.