- Icelanders rejected the government’s bid to resume EU negotiations, with 52.8 percent voting against and 47.2 percent in favor, a difference of some 12,600 votes.
- Turnout was high, with 82.5 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot in the country of almost 400,000 people.
- Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, an MP with the conservative and pro-‘no’ Independence Party, said the results were clear: 'Icelanders do not want Iceland to join the EU.'
- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said the vote reminded that EU membership is ‘not the natural horizon for every European democracy’ and that ‘another Europe is possible’.
- British Reform UK leader Nigel Farage congratulated Iceland: ‘Congratulations to Iceland on voting to keep their independence.’
- Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who had promised a referendum, argued that joining the EU would insulate Iceland’s economy from bilateral tariffs, and noted that ‘the situation has changed a great deal over the past one and a half years.’
- Opponents cited concerns over control of rich fisheries, while supporters pointed to adopting the euro and closer ties to mainland Europe amid U.S. tariffs; detractors like Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir said Iceland was better off charting its own course within the European Economic Area.
Icelanders have decisively voted against resuming EU membership talks, with 52.8% rejecting the government's proposal. The turnout was notably high at 82.5%, reflecting strong public engagement on the issue.
“It’s incredible to see the power of the people all around the country,” said Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, an MP with the pro-no Independence Party.
The government, led by Social Democratic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, had argued that EU membership would protect Iceland's economy from tariffs. However, the opposition raised concerns over control of the nation’s rich fisheries.
“These results are very clear. Icelanders do not want Iceland to join the EU,” Þórðarson emphasized.
Iceland first initiated EU membership talks in 2009, following a financial crisis, but these discussions were halted in 2015 due to disagreements over fishing quotas.
The vote has drawn international attention, with figures like French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and British euroskeptic Nigel Farage praising Iceland's decision to maintain its independence.
“At a time when some are pushing for greater federalism... this vote reminds us that another Europe is possible,” Le Pen stated.
The outcome signals a clear preference among Icelanders for sovereignty over EU integration, as the government plans to hold a referendum after the next elections in 2024.
“The result, a margin of about 12,600 votes, came despite Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir's argument that EU membership would shield Iceland from bilateral tariffs. Opponents, including Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, said the country is better off charting its own course within the European Economic Area.”
politico.eu
