Greenland's opposition Demokraatit (Democrats) party has won Tuesday's parliamentary election, one of the most closely-watched elections in its history following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that he would seek to take over the island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Preliminary data released by the Central Election Committee on Wednesday showed the Democrats had won 29.9 percent of the vote, becoming the largest party in the Inatsisartut, Greenland's parliament. They were followed by the governing coalition partner Naleraq, which garnered 24.5 percent. The ruling party Inuit Ataqatigiit, led by incumbent Prime Minister Mute Egede, secured a disappointing 21.4 percent of the vote, down by more than 15 percentage points from the 2021 election. With no party winning an outright majority, the Democrats will now have to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government. Over 28,000 registered voters participated in the election at 72 polling stations across Greenland, representing a voter turnout of 70.9 percent. The election drew significant global attention after President Trump expressed his intention to take control of the island "one way or the other." Prior to the vote, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, expressed openness to stronger cooperation with the U.S. but firmly rejected the idea of U.S. annexation. Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland was also strongly dismissed by local voters, some of whom sent a clear a message to the U.S. president. In the lead up to the election, political leaders across Greenland all unequivocally rejected Trump's remarks, emphasizing their commitment to greater self-determination and firmly opposing the idea of becoming part of the United States. Greenland, the world's largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark, granting Greenlanders Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over foreign and defense policy. Shotlist: Nuuk, Greenland, Denmark - March 11, 2025: 1. Various of people outside polling station; 2. Various of interior of polling station, voters; 3. Various of people on street, boards displaying candidates; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Greenland resident (no name given) (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shot 5): "I think it's the most important election in Greenland's history because we are so intimidated by other countries. I hope that people will vote with dignity and not by greed. Stay out of our country, Trump. You are not welcome here. You have to respect us and you have to respect our culture before you come here."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. People outside polling station; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Greenland resident (no name given) (ending with shots 7-8): "I believe that's the way we have to go. We have to take care of ourselves, we have to be responsible for our own lives. I don't support that at all -- the way they tried to take us over."; 7. Board displaying candidates by roadside; 8. Various of coast, floating ice. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]