Icelanders Reject Restarting EU Accession Negotiations in Close Referendum
14 sources across 12 countries
Who reported this
- Le Monde
- France 24
- ANSA
- Corriere della Sera
- Politico Europe
- La Tercera
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- South China Morning Post
- The Times of Israel
- The Japan Times
- El Pais
- Neue Zuercher Zeitung
- Taipei Times
- Bloomberg
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Icelandic voters rejected a proposal to restart membership negotiations with the European Union in a referendum held on Saturday. According to official results reported by the national broadcaster RÚV, 52.8 percent of voters voted against the resumption of talks, while 47.2 percent voted in favor. Voter turnout was 82.5 percent, which several sources noted as the highest participation in the country since the 2009 parliamentary elections. The result follows a period of suspension in EU talks that began in 2013 under a previous eurosceptic government.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who campaigned for the yes vote, stated that the government will respect the result. She noted that the issue of EU negotiations will not be returned to the political agenda during her mandate, which ends in 2028. The Icelandic parliament is expected to discuss whether to formally withdraw the country's application for membership, which has remained suspended but not withdrawn since 2013.
Multiple reports indicate that concerns over national control of fishing quotas and waters were decisive factors in the outcome. Fishing is a critical component of the Icelandic economy, accounting for 40 percent of national exports and 6 percent of the GDP. While some EU officials had signaled a willingness to be flexible on fisheries rights to facilitate entry, these assurances did not sway the majority of voters.
Geopolitical tensions also played a role in the lead up to the vote. The left leaning coalition government moved the referendum forward from its original 2027 date after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned Greenland and mistakenly named Iceland in discussions regarding his interests in the region. Supporters of the EU argued that membership would provide greater protection and solidarity against such international instability.
In Brussels, the result was received with regret. European Council President António Costa and the European Commission stated that they respect the democratic choice of the Icelandic people and emphasized that Iceland remains a close partner through the European Economic Area and the Schengen zone. Conversely, far right leaders in France and the United Kingdom, including Marine Le Pen and Nigel Farage, celebrated the result as a victory for national sovereignty.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets highlighted the result as a setback for the EU and a victory for anti European and far right forces.
- Centre
- These outlets focused on the factual outcome of the vote and the diplomatic implications for the EU enlargement process.
- Centre-right
- These outlets emphasized the importance of national sovereignty and the economic necessity of maintaining control over fisheries.
Sources
- Centre ANSA: Iceland says 'no' to the EU, 52.8% reject the referendum
- Centre Bloomberg: Iceland to Hold Off From EU Accession Talks as Voters Say No
- Centre-right Corriere della Sera: Iceland, final results of the referendum: No to the EU wins. The premier (for the Yes) accepts: "Chapter closed, fears for fishing were decisive"
- Centre-left El Pais: Iceland's no weakens the EU before Trump and anti-European forces
- Centre France 24: Icelanders reject a resumption of EU accession negotiations
- Centre-right Frankfurter Allgemeine: No to talks with EU: The Icelanders have decided
- Centre-right La Tercera: Iceland rejects proposal to restart EU accession negotiations after close referendum
- Centre-left Le Monde: In Brussels, the Icelandic "no" to EU accession negotiations is perceived as a "setback"
- Centre-right Neue Zuercher Zeitung: COMMENTARY: No to accession negotiations: Iceland does not need EU membership, Nato is enough
- Centre Politico Europe: What Iceland’s ‘no’ means for the EU
- Centre Politico Europe: Iceland’s parliament will ‘discuss’ withdrawing EU bid after failed referendum
- Centre-right South China Morning Post: Iceland votes to reject proposal to restart EU accession talks
- Centre-left Taipei Times: Iceland votes ‘No’ to resuming EU membership talks
- Centre The Japan Times: Iceland votes to reject the EU as fisheries worry prevails
- Centre The Times of Israel: Icelanders vote no to restarting negotiations to join the European Union
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.