Icelanders have voted against reopening negotiations to join the European Union, rejecting a government-backed proposal that would have revived the country’s long-running debate over membership in the bloc.
According to official results reported by public broadcaster RUV, 52.8% of voters opposed resuming accession negotiations in Saturday’s referendum, while 47.2% voted in favor.
“The nation rejects accession negotiations with the EU,” RUV reported after the results were announced Sunday.
The outcome represents a setback for supporters of Icelandic membership and for Brussels, which had expressed interest in welcoming the wealthy Nordic country into the bloc. European officials had also signaled a willingness to seek compromises with Reykjavík over sensitive issues, particularly fisheries.
The Icelandic government had presented the referendum as a decisive opportunity to settle the country’s relationship with the EU. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had said ahead of the vote that a rejection would effectively put further speculation about membership aside.
Supporters of restarting negotiations argued that closer integration with the EU could provide greater economic and geopolitical stability, including potentially addressing concerns about high interest rates. They also pointed to growing international uncertainty stemming from the war in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric concerning neighboring Greenland.
Opponents, however, argued that EU membership could undermine Iceland’s sovereignty and threaten the country’s economically important fishing industry.
The fisheries sector emerged as one of the most contentious issues during the campaign, with about 90% of companies in the industry reportedly opposing membership.
The EU had sought to reassure the sector ahead of the referendum by signaling flexibility in negotiations over fishing rights and other disputed areas.
Saturday’s result means Iceland will not resume accession negotiations for now, leaving the country outside the European Union while maintaining its existing close economic relationship with the bloc.
