Danish colonization of the Americas island had become an American protectorate. Following the war, the former corporate policy was discontinued: the North and South Greenland colonies were united and the RGTD's monopoly officially ended. In 1953, Greenland's colonial status was ended and it was made an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark with representation in the Folketing. In 1979, the Folketing granted the island home rule and, in 2009, all matters other than defense and foreign policy were transferred to the regional parliament. Explorers (mainly Norwegians), scientists, merchants (mainly Danish) and settlers from Denmark–Norway took possession of the Danish West Indies (present-day U.S. Virgin
Constitution of Denmark Appointment of member to committees have to be done to ensure proportional representation. § 53 All members of the parliament can demand answers from the ministers § 54 Non-members always have to go through a member, if they wish to bring something up for the Folketing (with exceptions of ministers, who also have this right, see § 21 and § 40). § 55 The Folketing chooses one or two ombudsmen. § 56 Members of the Parliament are free to vote and speak as they wish. They can not make any binding agreement to vote in a certain way, neither with