‘Just too many question marks — Why Iceland’s ‘no’ camp was so successful
Supporters of EU membership in Iceland had strong arguments, but among those opposed, everything revolved around a single issue.
The mood at the Icelandic 'no' camp's election-night gathering is positive, even before the initial results come in. They are confident of securing a victory in the referendum on resuming accession talks with Brussels. Campaign manager Salma Björk Önnudóttir confidently declares, "We're going to win," and her prediction holds true.
When the first partial results are announced, cheers and chants fill the room. The official result, confirmed around 9:30 a.m. local time, confirms the No camp's victory by a narrow margin of 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent. This outcome not only defeats the Icelandic government's efforts but also represents a setback for the EU as a whole.
Prime Minister Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir expresses her contentment with the result, acknowledging the No camp's superior mobilization and the public's skepticism towards the EU. The campaign's success stems from their ability to address Icelanders' long-standing wariness towards the EU, focusing on themes of sovereignty and fishing rights.
The EU's attempts to compromise on fisheries failed to sway voters, as many believed Iceland couldn't hold its ground in negotiations. The campaign also capitalized on social media, using sensationalism and half-truths to appeal to the younger generation. The EU's result is disappointing, but Iceland may remain EU-free for a generation, potentially only changing due to an external shock.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
