Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, a Greenlandic member of parliament (MP) representing Naleraq, is seeking a leave of absence from the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) to focus on her work in the Greenlandic Parliament (Inatsisartut). The leave is scheduled to begin on September 19, coinciding with the start of Inatsisartut’s autumn session, and will continue until November 14.

Høegh-Dam’s absence means she will miss the opening of the Danish Parliament in early October. The Parliament is set to open on Tuesday, October 7, followed by an opening debate two days later.

This is not the first time Høegh-Dam has been absent from the opening of the Danish Parliament. In 2023, while representing Siumut, she missed the opening due to a course in the USA.

Elected to the Inatsisartut in March after joining the pro-independence party Naleraq the previous month, Høegh-Dam has been serving in both the Greenlandic and Danish Parliaments. This dual role has drawn criticism, particularly regarding her compensation from both positions.

Following the Greenlandic elections, Høegh-Dam indicated her intention to leave the Danish Parliament “during the year,” stating her commitment to completing ongoing legislation and ensuring a smooth transition. Despite these statements, she has remained in her seat in the Danish Parliament since being elected in 2019.

Høegh-Dam maintains that seeking leave has always been her plan, contradicting suggestions that she has changed her mind. She also confirmed reports that she will not seek re-election in the next parliamentary election, which must be held before the end of October next year.

Høegh-Dam is known for her advocacy of the Greenlandic language in the Danish Parliament, which led to the implementation of simultaneous interpretation in the chamber.