Iceland Snubs EU: Voters Reject Bid To Restart Membership Talks

Iceland has rejected reopening negotiations to join the European Union, with 52.8% voting against and 47.2% in favour. The referendum concerned restarting accession talks—not immediate EU membership. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who backed negotiations, acknowledged the result while stressing Iceland’s distinctive dependence on fisheries: “We’re not mainland Europe. We’re an island country.” Fishing rights, sovereignty and control of Icelandic waters dominated the campaign.