Today’s news / MP may skip questions for speaking Greenlandic
Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam has stated that she will speak exclusively Greenlandic during Thursday's opening debate in the Parliament. She is seen here during the opening of Parliament on Tuesday. Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix

MP may skip questions for speaking Greenlandic

Due to a decision by the Folketing’s Presidium, Greenlandic MP Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam may forego the opportunity to receive questions on her speaker’s statement during the Folketing’s opening debate if she chooses not to translate it from Greenlandic to Danish. Folketing’s President, Søren Gade, stated that allowing exchanges that most members and the public cannot understand is not responsible. Enhedslisten’s group spokesperson, Peder Hvelplund, criticizes the decision as undemocratic. Supporting Greenlandic as a recognized language within the kingdom, Hvelplund argues against the need to speak Danish in parliament. Alternativet’s Helene Brydensholt expresses frustration over being unable to question Greenlandic members if they speak in their native tongue. Greenlandic and Faroese MPs receive an additional DKK 69,000 monthly for translations and interpretation, following debates on parliamentary language. The rule requiring MPs from Greenland and the Faroe Islands to self-translate followed a speech by Høegh-Dam in Greenlandic last May, which sparked significant discussion.