1982 Greenlandic European Communities membership referendum

A referendum on continued membership of the European Communities (EC) was held in Greenland on 23 February 1982.

1982 Greenlandic European Communities membership referendum

23 February 1982 (1982-02-23)
Do you want Greenland to remain in the European Communities?
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 11,180 46.98% No 12,615 53.02% Valid votes 23,795 98.06% Invalid or blank votes 470 1.94% Total votes 24,265 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 32,391 74.91%

Greenland had joined the EC in 1973 when Denmark joined, even though a majority of 70% of the Greenlandic votes in the Danish EC referendum held in 1972 had been against membership. In the spring of 1981, after Greenlandic home rule had been established in 1979 and the eurosceptic party Siumut won the 1979 election, the Parliament of Greenland agreed to hold a referendum on its continued membership. The result of the referendum was a majority in favour of leaving the EC, and this was enacted by the Greenland Treaty, which allowed the EC to keep its fishing rights. Greenland continues to be considered one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU, giving it a special relationship with the Union.

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		11,180	46.98
Against		12,615	53.02
Total		23,795	100.00
Valid votes		23,795	98.06
Invalid/blank votes		470	1.94
Total votes		24,265	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		32,391	74.91
Source: Harhoff

See also

• Greenland–European Union relations
• Greenland (European Parliament constituency)
• Withdrawal of Greenland from the European Communities