Icelanders have rejected a proposal to resume negotiations on joining the European Union, dealing a setback to the country’s pro-EU camp and closing the door on membership talks for the foreseeable future.
The “No” campaign won 52.8% of the vote, compared with 47.2% for “Yes”, according to Iceland’s public broadcaster RUV. Turnout was about 82.5%.
The referendum did not decide whether Iceland would join the EU. Instead, voters were asked whether the government should reopen accession negotiations that were suspended more than a decade ago.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had supported restarting the talks, arguing that Iceland should have the opportunity to assess the terms of membership before making a final decision. She has said the issue will not be returned to the political agenda during her current mandate, which runs until 2028.
Fisheries drive opposition
Opposition to EU membership has long centred on Iceland’s fishing industry, a crucial part of the country’s economy and national identity.
Opponents argued that joining the bloc could weaken Iceland’s control over its fisheries and force the country to accept EU rules over an industry it has fiercely protected.
The fishing industry was overwhelmingly opposed to reopening negotiations, with about 90% of companies in the sector against the proposal, according to Al Jazeera.
Supporters argued that negotiations would give Iceland the chance to secure favourable terms while allowing voters to make a final decision later.
They also pointed to the economic advantages of closer integration with the EU, including greater stability and the possibility of eventually adopting the euro.
Iceland already has close EU ties
Despite remaining outside the bloc, Iceland is already closely integrated with the European Union.
It is part of the European Economic Area, giving it access to the EU single market, and belongs to the Schengen free-movement area.
Iceland first applied to join the EU in 2009, after the global financial crisis, and began accession negotiations the following year. Talks were suspended in 2013 and the application was formally withdrawn in 2015.
The latest referendum was therefore an attempt to reopen a debate that had been largely dormant for more than a decade.
A divided electorate
The result also exposed a divide between Reykjavik and much of the rest of the country. The capital was the only region where a majority supported reopening accession talks, while rural voters were more likely to oppose the proposal, reflecting concerns over sovereignty, fisheries and national identity.
The debate was also shaped by growing geopolitical uncertainty in the Arctic. Supporters of closer European integration argued that the changing security environment made stronger ties with Europe more important.
For now, however, Iceland has chosen to remain outside the EU and retain its existing relationship with the bloc. The government has said the referendum result will be respected, although the vote itself was technically non-binding.
