MP delivers speech in Greenlandic, no questions allowed

Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, a Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament, chose not to translate her speech during the opening debate and was consequently not allowed to take questions. She expressed that representing Greenlandic people and ensuring the Greenlandic language has a place in Parliament is crucial. An unofficial attempt at simultaneous interpretation was made by the Alternative Party in coordination with Siumut, following disputes over the interpretation arrangement for the North Atlantic mandates. Last year, a request for official simultaneous interpretation was rejected by the Parliament’s Presidency. Instead, North Atlantic representatives were granted double speaking time to translate their speeches themselves. Greenlandic parties deem this insufficient, insisting on speaking Greenlandic, an official language of Denmark. As a demonstration, Helene Liliendahl Brydensholt of the Alternative Party wore a headset to receive translation but was denied the chance to ask questions.