According to public broadcaster RUV, Iceland has voted against resuming membership negotiations with the European Union, with only one constituency’s votes still pending. Of the 188,496 ballots counted thus far, 52.5% rejected the government’s proposal compared to 47.5% in favor, leaving a margin of approximately 9,500 votes.
The centre-left government of Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had originally promised to hold the referendum by 2027 but accelerated the timeline due to escalating international tensions, including threats by US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland.
However, the debate within this island nation of nearly 400,000 residents was primarily driven by concerns over its fishing industry rather than security issues.
While Iceland is already part of the EU’s single market and the Schengen border-free zone, full membership would integrate the country into the customs union and ultimately adopt the euro.
Iceland initially applied to join the EU in 2009 following the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of its banking system. The application had progressed significantly before a eurosceptic government assumed power in 2013 and suspended negotiations. Fishing rights constituted the primary obstacle then and remains the central hurdle today.
The fish and marine sectors account for nearly 40% of Iceland’s total exports, and many “No” voters feared surrendering a degree of control over their lucrative fishing grounds under the European Union’s common fisheries policy.
Prime Minister Frostadóttir stated that the referendum campaign has sparked vital debate regarding Iceland’s global standing, speaking after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday. “This is a significant day; we have waited years for the opportunity to hold a vote,” she remarked, emphasizing that her administration would continue its duties regardless of the result.
The ballot posed the question: “Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?”
An affirmative vote would not constitute a final decision to join the EU, but rather a step toward an accession agreement, which would subsequently require approval through a second referendum.
Conversely, a negative vote would not entirely preclude the possibility of Iceland resuming negotiations at a later date.
Although economic matters dominated the referendum campaigns, security concerns were also prominent. As a founding member of NATO, Iceland maintains no military and relies on its allies for defense. The nation has supported Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion, and officials have expressed alarm over increased Russian maritime maneuvers near the island. Additionally, Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland has further heightened these security anxieties.
