Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret)
Leaders: Chief of State—Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA);
Head of Government—Home Rule Chairman Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NA May 1979)
Political parties: Siumut (moderate socialist, advocates more distinct
Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark); Atassut Party (more
conservative, favors continuing close relations with Denmark);
Inuit Ataqatigiit (Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from
Denmark rather than home rule); Polar Party (Conservative-Greenland Nationalist)
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: Parliament—last held on 27 May 1987 (next to be held by 27 May 1991); results—Siumut 39.8%, Atassut Party 40.1%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 15.3%, Polar Party 4.5%; seats—(27 total) Siumut 11, Atassut Party 11, Inuit Ataqatigiit 4, Polar Party 1;
Danish Parliament—last held on 10 May 1988 (next to be held by 10 May 1992); Greenland elects two representatives to the Danish Parliament; results—(percent of vote by party NA; seats—(2 total) number of seats by party NA
Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag: the flag of Denmark is used
- Economy Overview: Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from one based on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependent on foreign trade. Fishing is still the most important industry, accounting for over two-thirds of exports and about 25% of the population's income. Exploitation of mineral resources is limited to lead and zinc. Maintenance of a social welfare system similar to Denmark's has given the public sector a dominant role in the economy. Greenland is heavily dependent on an annual subsidy of about $400 million from the Danish Government.