Iceland votes ‘No’ to resuming EU membership talks

Iceland voted ‘No’ to resuming membership negotiations with the EU, final referendum results showed yesterday, dealing a blow to Brussels which had been keen to welcome an affluent member. In a vote held on Saturday, 52.8 percent of Icelanders rejected the resumption of EU entry talks suspended 13 years ago, while 47.2 percent voted ‘Yes,’ according to the official tally published by RUV, the public broadcaster. The result would be a disappointment to Brussels, which had appeared willing to compromise on thorny issues to facilitate Iceland’s accession. Supporters of the ‘Yes’ campaign celebrate after Reykjavik results put their side into a narrow nationwide lead during a referendum-night gathering in Reykjavik yesterday. Photo: AP The result would also likely bury the EU question in Icelan