Iceland appears to reject EU accession talks in referendum
Icelandic voters appear to have rejected the government's proposal to hold EU accession talks, with the no camp holding 52.5% of votes, according to public broadcaster RUV.
Iceland appears to have rejected the government's proposal to hold European Union accession talks, according to public broadcaster RUV, with the no camp holding 52.5% of votes and only a small number of ballots left to count. The yes camp trailed with 47.5% of the vote, and the remaining uncounted ballots were in one of Iceland's six voting districts that was already leaning towards no, online ballot counting showed on Sunday.
The result marks a clear setback for the government's attempt to resume membership negotiations with the EU, a process that has divided Icelandic politics for years. Iceland has never been a full member of the bloc, though it is part of the European Economic Area, giving it access to the EU's single market while remaining outside the political union.
The referendum was non-binding, but the outcome is expected to carry significant political weight. The government had proposed reopening accession talks, which were previously launched in 2010 following the country's banking collapse but later stalled. The talks were effectively frozen in 2013 under a centre-right government, and the issue has remained contentious since then.
Supporters of EU membership argued that joining the bloc would provide economic stability and a stronger voice in European affairs, particularly in the wake of global market volatility. Opponents, however, have long warned that membership would undermine Iceland's control over its fishing industry, a cornerstone of the national economy, and would compromise the country's sovereignty over key policy areas.
The narrow margin of the vote reflects the deep divisions within Icelandic society on the issue. Polls leading up to the referendum had suggested a tight race, with both camps expressing confidence in the final days of campaigning. The no camp's victory, though narrow, is likely to be interpreted as a mandate to keep the EU question off the political agenda for the foreseeable future.
Political analysts noted that the result could have implications for the government's stability, as the proposal had been a key part of its platform. The government will now have to decide whether to accept the outcome and shelve the accession process or seek alternative ways to address the concerns that prompted the referendum in the first place.
For now, the focus shifts to the final vote count and the official declaration of results. With only a few ballots left to count, the outcome is not expected to change. The result will likely be formalised in the coming days, after which the government is expected to issue a formal response to the electorate's decision.
