Icelanders vote on whether they want to join the EU

Live updates

1. 14d ago

   Icelanders vote against restarting EU talks

   Icelanders have voted against restarting talks on joining the European Union, with 52.8% of voters opposing the move. The referendum, which saw a high voter turnout of 82.5%, deals a blow to the government's push to join the EU and hands a win to those who argued the country's sovereignty would be compromised. The debate over Iceland joining the EU focused heavily on fishing, the krona, and control over its affairs.

   Why it matters

   The result puts to rest for now the divisive issue of Iceland's potential EU membership, which has been a topic of discussion for some time. The country's decision not to pursue EU membership has implications for its future economic and political relationships with Europe. Iceland has a unique cultural and economic identity that has been shaped by its history and geography.

   What is confirmed

   • 52.8% of voters opposed restarting EU membership talks.
   • The voter turnout was 82.5%.
   • The margin of the 'No' vote was 52.8% to 47.2%.

   What to watch next

   • The Icelandic government's response to the referendum outcome.
   • Potential future referendums or discussions on EU membership.
   • Economic implications of not joining the EU for Iceland.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. baynews9.com — Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections staff making final preparations as early primary voting begins this weekend
   2. www.pbs.org — Icelandic voters reject a proposal to restart negotiations to join the European Union
   3. www.vaticannews.va — Iceland: The Arctic gateway that remains closed to Europe
   4. eng.belta.by — ‘EU? No, thanks!’ Europe’s response to Iceland's refusal to begin EU accession talks
   confidence 95%
2. 16d ago

   Icelanders reject EU membership talks

   Icelanders have voted against restarting talks on joining the European Union in a close referendum. The 'No' vote won with 52.8% of the vote, according to RÚV, Iceland's broadcaster. The result deals a blow to the government's push to join the EU and hands a win to those who argued the country's sovereignty would be compromised. The debate over Iceland joining the EU focused heavily on fishing, the krona, and control over its affairs.

   Why it matters

   The referendum was a significant event in Iceland, with many considering the country's relationship with the EU and its implications for sovereignty. The vote comes as some European countries are reevaluating their relationships with the EU. The outcome may have implications for Iceland's future economic and political ties with Europe.

   What is confirmed

   • Icelanders voted 52.8% to 47.2% against reopening talks to join the European Union.
   • The referendum results showed that opponents defeated the measure by a margin of 52.8% to 47.2%.
   • The debate over Iceland joining the EU focused heavily on fishing, the krona and how much control the country should have over its affairs.

   What to watch next

   • Iceland's future economic and political ties with Europe
   • Government's next steps following the referendum result
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. CNN — A tiny nordic nation weighs moving closer to Europe under the shadow of Trump
   2. The New York Times — Why Iceland and Others Might Want In, Not Out, of the E.U. Club
   3. AP News — Trump's Greenland threats cast a shadow on Iceland's vote on whether to trigger EU membership talks
   4. Al Jazeera — Voting closes in Iceland’s knife-edge EU referendum
   5. NPR — Icelanders vote on whether they want to join the EU
   6. CNN — ‘Yes’ vote takes early lead in Iceland’s EU talks referendum
   7. Politico — Iceland's vote on restarting talks on European Union membership is too close to call
   8. BBC — Iceland EU referendum on a knife edge as counting continues
   9. www.boisestatepublicradio.org — Icelanders vote on whether they want to join the EU
   10. www.mainepublic.org — Icelanders vote 'no' to talks aimed at joining the EU in close referendum
   11. theprint.in — Iceland rejects EU-accession talks in close-fought referendum
   12. apnews.com — Icelandic voters reject a proposal to restart negotiations to join the European Union
   confidence 100%