Lynge does not think that it is his opinions that have changed, but the world – and so radically that he calls the younger generation, who loudly cry out for independence, "completely crazy".
In his home on the outskirts of Nuuk, a poster with a polar bear and the text: "Keep calm and play dead" hangs. Similarly, the now retired politician means that the Greenlanders should meet Donald Trump's desire to take over the island.
There are some things that we have heard for a long time, especially during the Cold War, and that we can no longer ignore. If we shout that we want to become independent loud enough, the Americans will come.
Lacking Defense
When Lynge was young, he founded the left-oriented party Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA). He traveled around with the rock band Sumé and campaigned for increased independence, which resulted in limited self-government in 1979.
We decided that we would take over education and culture and that we would have our own language. It was extremely important. But I never thought that we were so crazy that we believed we could create a state in the Arctic.
What is required for Greenland to become an independent state? It requires power. What kind of power do we have? We have no warships. We cannot defend ourselves. We are 50,000 people on the world's largest island.
Lynge means that the younger generation does not understand when they accuse Denmark of limiting the Greenlanders.
For over 50 years, my generation has understood that it is our geopolitical situation that does not allow us to become independent.
Should be Taken Seriously
Lynge refers to a number of younger politicians who became members of the populist independence party Naleraq during the election campaign in February.
The party's chairman has previously expressed a desire for the US President "to continue with his statements" because it "benefits the party's core issue".
Denmark has accepted our right to self-determination. It is the only country in the world that has treated a former colony in that way.
At the same time, Lynge expresses an understanding that Greenlanders can feel neglected by Denmark and that it should be taken seriously – before it's too late.
It is only now that people in Denmark have begun to understand that something is about to happen.
