Referendum: Enges Rennen um EU‑Beitrittsgespräche in Island

In the recent referendum in Iceland on the resumption of EU membership talks, the results are expected to be very close. Initial results from Sunday showed the pro-EU and anti-EU camps almost neck and neck. Out of 152,000 votes cast by 270,000 eligible voters, 50.1% favored the proposal, according to the RUV radio station. This meant that 49.9% were against the resumption of negotiations that had been suspended in 2013.

Data on voter turnout was not immediately available. As of now, five out of six electoral districts have been counted. A final result is expected around midday on Sunday. Polls had previously indicated a tight race. Interest in EU membership has recently surged in the Nordic island nation, partly due to rising living costs, the conflict in Ukraine, and repeated threats from US President Donald Trump to annex the neighboring country of Greenland.

Proponents of EU negotiations argue that EU membership and the potential adoption of the euro could help lower interest rates and curb inflation in the country. The current central bank interest rate in Iceland is 8%. Opponents of EU membership, on the other hand, fear a loss of sovereignty and control over important fishing waters for the country.