Iceland has voted against restarting European Union accession talks, more than a decade after previous negotiations collapsed. The country's national broadcaster, RUV, reported on Sunday that the vote against the EU led 52.5% to 47.5%, with all but one constituency fully reporting results.
Referendum outcome
The vote was held on Saturday, with roughly 265,000 eligible voters asked a simple yes-or-no question: Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union? RUV said it was almost impossible for the remaining votes in the southwest to reverse the result.
The referendum was brought forward by Iceland's left-leaning coalition government, elected in 2024, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to control nearby Greenland. Trump mistakenly named Iceland four times while speaking about his designs on Greenland, prompting some voters to favour European solidarity.
Arguments for and against
Although Iceland is a NATO member, supporters said the country would have greater protection from its neighbours if Trump ever made similar threats toward the island nation. Backers also argued that EU membership would lower inflation and interest rates, and that the euro would bring more stability than Iceland's volatile króna.
Opponents rallied around fishing and the fact Iceland already benefits from the EU's frictionless single market and the Schengen free-travel zone without the sovereignty compromises of full membership. They argued Iceland's voice would be muted in the large European Parliament and that the country would be better off cutting its own trade deals, such as one with China.
Reactions
Iceland's former president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, said: "The nation has spoken: A clear no to the proposed EU journey." The result puts the long-debated issue to rest for a second time.
In the UK, the result was welcomed by Brexiteers, including Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage, and fellow MPs Richard Tice and Andrew Rosindell. Farage congratulated Iceland on voting to keep its independence, while Tice said: "Common sense from voters in Iceland. Thanks but no thanks to joining EU. Take note Remoaners." In a post on X, Rosindell said: "Good news this morning from Iceland as the people of that proud independent nation reject EU membership. The right decision!"
