The
prime minister of Greenland is elected by the
parliament of the country called the
Landsting. He is the pivotal head of the government as well as the head of the
cabinet. Though the monarch is the final authority yet the monarch is only the ceremonial head of state with limited powers. The actual functional powers lie with the Prime minister.
The parliament, which forms the
legislative branch of the political set up, is formed by the parliamentary elections which are held by the method of proportional representation and on the basis of universal suffrage. The party that gets the majority votes forms the ruling government. The prime minister of Greenland is the head of the government and the leader of the
ruling party in the parliament.
Greenland was under the rule of Denmark for many years and it was only in 1979 that
home rule was granted to Greenland by Denmark. In the same year
Jonathan Motzfeldt became the prime minister.
A list of the prime ministers of Greenland comprises names like:
- Jonathan Motzfeldt (1979-1991)
- Lars Emil Johansen (1991-1997)
- Jonathan Motzfeldt (1997-2002)
- Hans Enoksen (2002-present)
The prime minister of Greenland operates within the
prime ministers office. This office comprises of a permanent
secretary of state, a
secretariat to the prime minister and 3 divisions which look after foreign affairs, domestic affairs and administration. The prime minister forms the head of all these departments and it is his duty to control the civil administration of the country.
The office of the prime minister aids the prime minister in managing government affairs, maintaining relations with the Danish royal family, press relations and also the issues relating to national and constitutional law, business allocation, appointment and dismissal of ministers etc.
