What Iceland’s snub means for the EU’s place in the world

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   Iceland Rejects EU Membership Talks in Referendum

   Icelandic voters have rejected a plan to restart membership talks with the European Union. Despite early leads for the yes vote and concerns over U.S. political volatility, local priorities including fishing rights and national sovereignty outweighed the appeal of EU accession. The result deals a blow to Brussels' efforts to attract wealthy nations through security pitches. Iceland will remain a NATO member straddling the U.S. and Europe, while its parliament prepares to discuss withdrawing its formal EU bid.

   Why it matters

   Iceland previously considered an EU hookup following Donald Trump's interest in Greenland. The vote forced a choice between the security of a larger bloc and the sovereignty of local industries.

   What is confirmed

   • Icelandic voters rejected a plan to restart membership talks with the European Union.
   • The result keeps Iceland as a NATO member.
   • Iceland's parliament will discuss withdrawing its EU bid following the referendum.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Inaccurate and conflicting claims may have affected the referendum outcome.
   • The EU gave Iceland the silence treatment during the process.

   What to watch next

   • Parliamentary decision on the formal withdrawal of the EU bid
   • Iceland's pursuit of new security partnerships outside the EU
   Sources used for this update (25)

   1. The Washington Post — Iceland eyes hookup with European Union after Trump’s grab for Greenland
   2. politico.eu — Former Iceland prime minister to pro-EU voters: Your referendum doesn’t matter
   3. WSJ — Iceland Weighs Security Versus Sovereignty in Vote Over EU Membership Talks
   4. CNN — ‘Yes’ vote takes early lead in Iceland’s EU talks referendum
   5. Politico — Iceland's vote on restarting talks on European Union membership is too close to call
   6. BBC — Iceland EU referendum on a knife edge as counting continues
   7. CNN — Iceland rejects EU membership plan in referendum, public broadcaster reports
   8. The New York Times — Iceland Votes to Steer Clear of European Union Talks
   9. The Economist — EU enlargement hits an Icelandic snag
   10. politico.eu — Iceland’s parliament will ‘discuss’ withdrawing EU bid after failed referendum
   11. Bloomberg.com — EU Insists Appeal Remains Strong After Iceland Votes No
   12. Reuters — Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks
   confidence 90%