Germany’s Scholz proposes increasing NATO presence in Greenland

BERLIN

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Sunday his proposal for NATO allies to strengthen their military presence in Greenland, countering US President Donald Trump's suggestion to acquire the territory for security purposes.

“When we say borders must not be moved by force, that of course applies even more to our partners,” Scholz said, reiterating Berlin’s support to Denmark in its dispute with the new US administration over its autonomous territory Greenland.

The Social Democrat chancellor made the remarks during the first televised debate with his conservative challenger Friedrich Merz ahead of Feb. 23 parliamentary elections, where they discussed several foreign policy issues, including Trump's insistence on gaining control of Greenland.

Scholz emphasized that European states must maintain a unified position on this issue and confirmed recent media reports about Germany's proposal to increase NATO's military presence in Greenland.

“I have developed a proposal, and we are currently working on it together with other countries within NATO. It's about increasing NATO's presence in Greenland so that we can counter the argument that there are not enough soldiers there,” he said.

The chancellor acknowledged that some concerns about Greenland's security were valid, as climate change and melting ice are reshaping the region's geopolitical landscape.

He refrained from a confrontational tone towards Trump and said he already had a “friendly and frank” phone conversation with the new president and Germany wants to have good working relations with the new administration.

“Without the US, we would not have been able to win our democracy after fascism. That is why it is very important that we maintain the transatlantic partnership,” Scholz said.

Recent polls, with just two weeks until the elections, place Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) third with 16% voter support. While Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) lead with 29%, they would need a coalition partner to form a government.

Political analysts predict that a coalition between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats is the most likely scenario following the parliamentary elections.

BERLIN

Scholz emphasized that European states must maintain a unified position on this issue and confirmed recent media reports about Germany's proposal to increase NATO's military presence in Greenland.

The chancellor acknowledged that some concerns about Greenland's security were valid, as climate change and melting ice are reshaping the region's geopolitical landscape.

“Without the US, we would not have been able to win our democracy after fascism. That is why it is very important that we maintain the transatlantic partnership,” Scholz said.

Political analysts predict that a coalition between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats is the most likely scenario following the parliamentary elections.