Iceland set to reject talks to rejoin EU, national broadcaster says

Iceland's voters have rejected restarting negotiations to join the European Union in a recent referendum. The decision, which came down to a margin of 52.8% to 47.2%, pits concerns about geopolitical stability against the desire to retain national control over the country's prized fisheries industry. Despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to take control of nearby Greenland, Iceland remains a NATO member and supporters argue that European solidarity would provide greater protection.

The left-leaning coalition government, elected in 2024, moved the EU referendum up after the threat, but Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said she saw the loss as a win for democracy and does not rule out future attempts to reopen the issue.