Icelanders say no to restarting talks to join the EU
While the 'yes' vote was popular in the capital, the 'no' from more rural areas tipped the balance.
Iceland's citizens have rejected plans to resume negotiations with the European Union in a recent referendum. According to preliminary results from RÚV, the country's national broadcaster, 52.5% voted against restarting talks, while 47.5% supported the idea. The "yes" vote proved particularly strong in Reykjavík, home to one-third of Iceland's population, while "no" emerged victorious in rural regions, where support soared to over 60%.
This outcome contrasts with early polls, which indicated a nearly even division between the two options. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir's government decided to hold the referendum upon taking office in late 2024. Iceland had previously attempted to join the EU in 2009, but negotiations concluded unproductively in 2015. This time around, the euro's reintroduction was considered a potential remedy for Iceland's persistent high inflation rates.
However, critics like Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir argued that Iceland should maintain its independence and remain a member of the European Economic Area. Prime Minister Frostadóttir described the referendum outcome as "very exciting," emphasizing that the government had honored its commitment to give Icelanders a voice in the matter.
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