Iceland voters reject proposal to revive EU membership talks

The people of Iceland have rejected a proposal to revive discussions about joining the European Union, according to a national broadcaster. The referendum, which took place on Saturday, saw 52.8% of voters opt against restarting EU negotiations, while 47.2% supported the idea. Reykjavik, the capital, was the only region where a majority backed the referendum.

The vote came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to Iceland four times during his remarks about Greenland. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who campaigned in favor of the EU proposal, expressed her hope that the result would not cause division among the nation. She stated that she has spoken with people from various parts of the country and that people are generally open to different outcomes.

The referendum was a simple yes-or-no question for roughly 265,000 eligible voters. The opposition argued that Iceland already benefits from being part of the EU's single market and the Schengen zone, and that the nation would be better off negotiating its own trade deals. Proponents claimed that EU membership would lower inflation and interest rates and provide greater stability than Iceland's fluctuating currency.

The fishing industry, which is central to Iceland's economy and identity, led opposition to the referendum due to concerns over access to fishing waters.