Greenland parliamentary elections produced an upset win by a party favoring gradual independence from Denmark. President Trump openly covets the vast island.

Greenland's pro-business Demokraatit Party surged to victory in a shake-up that could boost U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to tap the island's mineral wealth, with the victors keen for reforms favouring private enterprise and mining.

Both Demokraatit — the Democrats — and the second place party, Naleraq — “Point of Orientation” — favor independence from Denmark.

The single polling station in Greenland ’s capital city is ready. This big Arctic island with a tiny population holds early parliamentary elections Tuesday that are being closely watched. U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he wants to take control of the region that occupies a strategic North Atlantic location and contains rare earth minerals key to driving the global economy.

Greenland's pro-business Demokraatit Party has surged to victory pushing economic reforms to the political foreground after an election dominated by independence and U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to control the mineral-rich island.