Iceland in Suspense After Vote on EU Membership Talks
Vote counting began after a close race on reopening accession talks, with turnout reported at least comparable to 2024 parliamentary elections.
- On Saturday, Iceland's 273,000 voters cast ballots in a referendum deciding whether to resume European Union membership negotiations, with results expected overnight as polling stations closed at 10:00 pm.
- Iceland first applied for European Union membership in 2009 following a devastating financial crisis, but a Eurosceptic government suspended the talks in 2013.
- Economic stability, fisheries, and security in a world unsettled by the war in Ukraine dominate the debate, with campaigners citing Iceland's 8.00 per cent central bank rate as a key factor.
- Although the referendum is technically non-binding, Social Democratic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir has vowed to respect the outcome, with the government presenting plans at a Sunday press conference.
- A foreign ministry memo estimates accession talks could start by the end of 2026 and take 18 to 24 months if the vote favors reopening negotiations, requiring a final membership referendum later.
31 Articles
31 Articles
In Iceland, proponents of resuming negotiations on EU membership are narrowly ahead in the referendum on the matter. This is evident from the first results, reports the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV. Of the counted votes, 51.2 percent are in favor and 48.8 percent against. By midnight, approximately 87,000 votes had been counted. A final result is not expected until later today. Approximately 270,000 people were eligible to vote on whether talks re…
A referendum decides on Iceland's position on the EU. Almost half of the votes are counted – and a majority suggests accession talks.
Preliminary results show a close race in the referendum in Iceland, but many votes still need to be counted.
Icelanders voted on Saturday on whether the country should continue membership negotiations with the European Union. The result is expected to be very close.
berlingske.dk
Preliminary results show a close race in the referendum in Iceland, but many votes still need to be counted.
Icelanders voted on Saturday on whether the country will continue membership negotiations with the European Union. The vote is now being counted.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left, 39% of the sources are Center
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