Iceland appears set to reject a proposal to resume membership talks with the European Union, with votes from only one constituency still to be counted.
According to public broadcaster RUV, 52.5% of the 188,496 ballots counted so far opposed the government’s proposal, while 47.5% supported it. The two sides were separated by about 9,500 votes.
The referendum was originally promised for 2027 by Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir’s centre-left government. However, it was brought forward amid growing international tensions, including US President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, according to BBC News.
Despite these security concerns, the campaign focused mainly on Iceland’s fishing industry. Fish and marine products make up nearly 40% of the country’s exports. Many opponents of EU talks feared that membership would weaken Iceland’s control over its rich fishing grounds under the EU’s common fisheries policy.
Iceland is already part of the EU single market and the Schengen travel area. EU membership would also bring the country into the bloc’s customs union and could eventually lead to the adoption of the euro.
Iceland first applied to join the EU in 2009, following the collapse of its banking system during the global financial crisis. Negotiations made significant progress before a eurosceptic government suspended them in 2013.
The ballot asked whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the EU. A “Yes” vote would not have meant immediate membership, but would have reopened the path towards a future agreement. That agreement would then require approval in another referendum.
Iceland is a NATO member but has no standing army. Its officials have also expressed concern over Russian maritime activity near the island and the wider security situation in the North Atlantic.
