The Political System
The parliament has three standing committees: the Finance Committee, the Committee for the Auditing of Treasury Accounts and the Foreign and Security Policy Committee. There are also several ad hoc committees. The members of parliament are elected by direct, general elections for a period of four years.

The 31 members of parliament were, at the time of writing, elected on June 2, 2009, and represent five parties: the socialist party Inuit Ataqatigiit, the social democratic party Siumut, the social liberal party Demokraatit, the liberal party Atassut, and the moderate party Kattusseqatigiit Partiiat.

The Premier, Mr. Kuupik Kleist from Inuit Ataqatigiit, leads the government that was formed on June 10, 2009 based on a political cooperation between Inuit Ataqatigiit, Demokraatit, and Katusseqatigiit. Besides the Premier who is also responsible for foreign affairs, the Cabinet consists of the ministers for finances; fisheries, hunting and agriculture; business and non-renewable resources; infra-structure; culture, education, science, and the church; family; health; and the interior.

On November 25, 2008 the citizens of Greenland voted in a referendum on self-government. With 75.54% of the population voting yes, self-government was implemented on June 21, 2009.

The most important change is that the Greenlandic people are now recognised as a distinct nation and that in future they can decide for themselves if they want full independence from Denmark. Under self-government, the Greenlandic people can also take over responsibility for the police, the judicial system and the prison service.

Municipalities
From January 1, 2009 the former 18 municipalities were reduced to four; Northern Greenland Avannaa, Central Greenland Qeqqa, South Greenland Kujataa and East-Western Greenland Kangia-Kitaa with Nuuk as its administrative centre. The municipalities are united in a national association known as KANUKOKA.