Data code: GL
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Government type: parliamentary democracy within a Constitutional monarchy
Capital: Nuuk (Danish: Godthåb)
Administrative divisions: 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa[?] (Danish: Nordgrønland), Tunu[?] (Danish: Østgrønland), Kitaa[?] (Danish: Vestgrønland)
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979)
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system: Danish
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen Margaret II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS[?] (since NA 1995)
head of government:
Prime Minister Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NA September 1997)
cabinet:
Landsstyre is formed from the Parliament on the basis of the strength of parties
elections:
the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held 11 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)
election results:
Jonathan MOTZFELDT reelected prime minister, receiving 23 out of 31 votes
note:
government coalition - Siumut and Atassut
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections:
last held on 17 February 1999 (next to be held by NA 2003)
election results:
percent of vote by party - Siumut[?] 35.2%, Inuit Ataqatigiit[?] 22%, Atassut Party[?] 25.2%, Candidate's League[?] 12.3%; seats by party - Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 7, Candidate's League 4, independent 1
note:
two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on NA March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002); percent of vote by party - Siumut 35.6%, Atassut 35.2%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Atassut 1; Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties
Judicial branch: High Court or Landsret
Political parties and leaders: Akulliit Party[?] (Bjarne KREUTZMANN[?]); Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark) (Daniel SKIFTE[?]); Candidate's League [leader NA]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) (Josef MOTZFELDT[?]); Issituup[?] (Polar Party) (Nicolai HEINRICH[?]); Siumut (Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) (Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman]
International organization participation: NC, NIB[?]
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white (see Greenlandic national flag)
wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump