In normal times, this election probably wouldn't be of too much interest to the rest of the world. Around 40,000 voters choose just 31 parliamentarians, and it's all taking place on an island that isn't even fully autonomous.

But these are not normal times and this election is in Greenland on March 11, which means it could prove a starting point for further geopolitical upheaval in the Northern Hemisphere.

Firstly, because supporters of independence for Greenland hope the ballot may result in a strong mandate for Greenland's complete separation from Denmark. Currently Greenland, a former Danish colony, is a self-governing territory of the latter.

And secondly, and probably most importantly, because US President Donald Trump has been talking about making Greenland part of the US ever since he was elected last November.

Trump has frequently spoken of how it would be in the interests of US security to control Greenland. Since the 1950s, the US has run the Pituffik Space Base, in the northwest of Greenland.

It is the Americans' northernmost post and plays a key role in missile warnings and space surveillance. Previously, during the Cold War, it was called the Thule Air Base and was there to send early warnings and initiate defense against potential Soviet attacks.

Other than security issues, economics might also play a part in Trump's claims on Greenland. In the south of Greenland, there are thought to be valuable deposits of oil, gas, gold, uranium and zinc.

Thanks to climate change, which is thawing Greenland's ground out, mining these deposits will eventually become easier.

During his first term in office, in 2019, Trump offered to buy Greenland. The government in Denmark swiftly rejected that.

But this term, Trump has continued to express expansionist intentions, over Canada, the Panama Canal and Gaza, as well as Greenland.

Even before........

© Deutsche Welle