Close race as Iceland votes on whether to restart talks on joining EU
Summary
Iceland is holding a close referendum to decide if it should restart talks to join the European Union (EU), after stopping talks in 2013. The vote focuses mainly on concerns about fishing rights and national control, with the final decision dependent on future agreements and approvals.Key Facts
- Icelanders are voting on whether to resume EU membership talks 13 years after they stopped.
- The latest polls show a very close race, with the No side slightly ahead at 51.6%.
- Iceland already participates in the EU single market and Schengen zone but is not an EU member.
- If talks restart, Iceland could finalize membership talks in one or two years, but a second referendum and parliamentary approval are needed.
- A major concern is Iceland’s fishing industry, which makes up almost 40% of exports and is tied to national sovereignty.
- Iceland fought to become fully independent in 1944 and fears losing control over fishing waters under EU rules.
- Early voting showed more than 20% of voters had cast ballots before the main voting day.
- Iceland’s economy is strong by GDP per person but has high interest rates and inflation, which some say EU membership could help lower.
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