Atassut (, also referred to as Feeling of Community) is a liberal-conservative and unionist political party in Greenland. Founded on 29 April 1978, Atassut is an established partner of Venstre.
History
Atassut was established in late 1976 as a political movement of conservative and unionist forces in Greenland to oppose Siumut with Lars Chemnitz as its leading figure; however, it soon became more liberal.
Its first programme from January 1977 stated that its purpose was to "promote Greenlandic home rule within the Unity of the Realm" and "work against secession from the Danish realm."
Atassut was founded as a political party on 29 April 1978. The party's name literally translates as "link" (in the context of being linked with Denmark as part of the Danish realm), but can also refer to a roof which binds a house together.
Previously one of the two largest and most influential political parties in Greenland, the Atassut has seen its share of the popular vote consistently decline since the mid-1990s.
In the 2001 Folketing election, the party lost its only representative and has never regained a seat in the Danish parliament.
In the June 2009 snap election, the party dropped to 10.9% of the vote; it lost three of its six seats. In the following election in 2013, the party was reduced to two seats, which they maintained in the 2014 elections despite fewer votes. Both MPs later defected to Siumut, one of whom was its chairman Knud Kristiansen.
From the 2014 parliamentary election to 2016, Atassut was a part of a coalition government, led by Kim Kielsen from Siumut, that also including the Inuit Ataqatigiit.
In debate of refugees in Greenland in 2017, Atassut and Atassut Youths have been strong on not accepting refugees in to Greenland, where Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut want to take in refugees.
In the 2018 general election, Atassut gained two seats in the Inatsisartut despite having no incumbents after both their MPs had defected to Siumut. In the 2021 election, Atassut retained its two seats. Following the election, Atassut offered external support to the governing coalition formed by the Inuit Ataqatigiit and Naleraq parties.
Ideology Atassut has been referred to as liberal, conservative, and liberal-conservative. The party supports privatisation of public industries, a form of citizen's income, NATO co-operation, and Greenlandic affiliation with the European Union.
The party was previously opposed to Greenlandic home rule; Atassut later shifted to supporting home rule and autonomy, but without leaving the unity of the Realm. The party has moved from a traditional right-wing position towards later supporting the subsidisation of primary-sector business, alongside the centre-left Siumut party.
Election results Inatsisartut Election Votes % Seats +/– Position Status 1979 7,688 41.7 New 2nd 1983 11,443 46.6 4 1st 1984 9,873 43.8 1 2nd 1987 10,044 40.1 1st 1991 7,536 30.1 3 2nd 1995 7,674 30.1 2 2nd 1999 7,100 25.2 2 2nd 2002 5,780 20.2 1 3rd 2005 5,528 19.1 1 4th 2009 3,094 10.9 3 4th 2013 2,454 8.1 1 3rd 2014 1,919 6.5 5th 2018 1,730 5.9 5th 2021 1,878 7.1 5th 2025 2,092 7.4 5th
Folketing Election Greenland Votes % Seats +/– Position 1979 6,390 44.9 New 1st 1981 9,223 48.9 1st 1984 9,308 43.5 1st 1987 6,627 41.3 2nd 1988 8,135 38.7 2nd 1990 7,087 36.6 2nd 1994 7,501 34.7 2nd 1998 8,569 36.0 2nd 2001 5,138 22.1 1 3rd 2005 3,774 16.4 4th 2007 4,094 16.3 4th 2011 1,706 7.6 4th 2015 1,528 7.6 4th 2019 1,098 5.5 6th 2022 720 3.7 5th 2026 2,290 10.92 5th
Atassut was already established as a political movement at the time of the Folketing election on 15 February 1977, and the three Atassut founders Arqalo Abelsen, Ole Berglund and Otto Steenholdt ran as an association of candidates, which got 8,391 votes and Otto Steenholdt elected.
Leaders 2019– Aqqalu Jerimiassen 2017–2019 Siverth K. Heilmann 2017 Qulutannguaq Inuk Berthelsen (acting; after Knud Kristiansen left the party) 2014–2017 Knud Kristiansen 2009–2014 Gerhardt Petersen 2005–2009 Finn Karlsen 2002–2005 Augusta Salling 1993–2002 Daniel Skifte 1989–1993 Konrad Steenholdt 1985–1989 Otto Steenholdt 1979–1984 Lars Chemnitz
Notes
References
External links Atassut official site (archive)