Relief and sorrow in Iceland after EU membership talks referendum fails

Iceland narrowly rejected resuming European Union membership talks in a national referendum held Saturday, with 52.8 percent voting against and 47.2 percent in favor, according to the public broadcaster RÚV. The outcome, announced Sunday morning, reflects ongoing domestic divisions over the country’s future relationship with the EU, a debate reignited after Iceland’s initial application in 2009 following the financial crisis.

In Reykjavík, citizens gathered overnight to follow the results as they were tallied. Among them, Pastor Skuli Olafsson Skuli expressed relief at the outcome. “It has been quite aggressive, this discussion,” he said. “But now I hope the opposing parties will find a way to make this community here in Iceland a little bit better using our own methods and relations with Europe, America, and Asia.”

Artist Anna Maria Bogadottir said she felt shock at the “No” vote. “It’s hard to grasp that it’s a no,” she told reporters. “I still feel like it hasn’t fully sunk in.”

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, leader of Iceland’s centre-left government, emphasized respect for the democratic result while acknowledging the narrow margin. “It’s obvious that close to half of the country wanted to continue these negotiations, but over half of the population did not,” she said at a press conference. “We will respect that result. The fact that we got people to the table on a matter like this is extremely important for us. It gives us a stronger mandate to make a decision on this matter.”

Former President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, who had supported the “No” campaign, posted on X that “the nation has spoken.”

The referendum result has drawn praise from right-wing figures in the United Kingdom and France. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and a prominent Brexit advocate, congratulated Iceland on “voting to keep their independence.” Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally, framed the vote as a rebuke to EU federalism, stating, “At a time when some are pushing for greater federalism and the transfer of sovereignty to the European Commission, this vote serves as a reminder that another Europe is possible – a Europe of free, sovereign nations cooperating voluntarily on matters of common interest.”

The European Commission responded with a brief statement. “We take note of the outcome and respect the choice of the Icelandic people,” a spokesperson said.

Iceland first applied for EU membership in 2009 amid the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. The European Commission issued a favorable opinion in February 2010, but negotiations stalled in 2013 when a Eurosceptic government took office.

The referendum marks another setback for EU enlargement efforts and underscores continuing public hesitation about deeper integration.

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