Iceland has voted against restarting negotiations to join the European Union, 13 years after the country suspended its previous membership talks.
According to Iceland’s public broadcaster RUV, 52.8% of voters rejected the government’s proposal, while 47.2% supported it. More than 225,000 people voted, with approximately 12,600 votes separating the two sides.
The referendum was held on Saturday and recorded a turnout of 82.5%, the highest recorded in an Icelandic election since 2009.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir’s centre-left government had initially promised to hold the referendum by 2027 but brought it forward amid growing international security concerns, including US President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland.
However, the debate largely focused on Iceland’s fishing industry, which remains an important part of the country’s economy.
Fishing rights were one of the major obstacles when Iceland previously pursued EU membership. The country’s fish and marine industries account for almost 40% of its exports, and many voters feared EU membership could reduce Iceland’s control over its fishing waters.
Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 following the financial crisis and collapse of its banking system. Negotiations progressed significantly before a eurosceptic government came to power in 2013 and suspended the process.
Although Iceland is already part of the European single market and the Schengen border-free area, EU membership would bring the country into the bloc’s customs union and eventually the eurozone.
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The referendum also highlighted a divide between urban and rural voters. Reykjavík largely supported restarting negotiations, while rural areas were more likely to oppose the proposal.
The result does not permanently prevent Iceland from seeking EU membership in the future. A “Yes” vote would only have restarted accession negotiations, with any eventual membership agreement requiring another referendum.
Security concerns also featured in the campaign. Iceland is a founding member of Nato but does not have its own military and relies on allies for its defence. The government has expressed concern about Russia’s increased maritime activity in the region and has supported Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
Trump’s interest in Greenland also added to concerns about security in the Arctic.
Following the result, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said the country would seek to strengthen its defence relationships with other nations.
The referendum result was welcomed by eurosceptic politicians in other European countries. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Icelanders had voted to “keep their independence”, while France’s Marine Le Pen said the result showed that EU membership was not necessarily the preferred choice for every European democracy.
(BBC News)
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