Iceland Votes to Steer Clear of European Union Talks

After a divisive national debate, Icelanders rejected a proposal to resume negotiations on joining the bloc, according to the national broadcaster.

Iceland voted 'No' to resuming membership negotiations with the European Union, final referendum results showed Sunday, dealing a heavy blow to Brussels which had been keen to welcome a new wealthy member.

Broadcaster RUV reports that 52.8% of voters rejected the government's proposal to resume talks.

The ‘No’ vote received 52.8% compared to 47.2% for the ‘Yes’ camp.

Iceland has voted to reject the resumption of European Union accession talks, in a referendum that swung back and forth through the night.

Boats are docked in the old harbour, ahead of a referendum on whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the European Union, in Reykjavik, Iceland, August 28, 2026. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger 30 Aug 2026 01:51PM REYKJAVIK, Iceland: The "no" camp moved ahead early on Sunday (Aug 30) in partial results of Ice

President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland added a new security dimension to Iceland's EU referendum, with 275,000 eligible voters weighing in.

The 'yes' camp won 51.2% of the vote in early counting, but election officials stressed that a more reliable result might not be ready until later on Sunday.

Iceland voted in a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, with a close race predicted and the final result expected late in the night or next morning.

Iceland voted Saturday in a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, with a close race predicted and the final result expected late in the night or next morning.Iceland in suspense after close EU voteVoting stations closed at 10:00 pm .In the absence of exit polls and with ballot

A reliable result might not be available until midday on Sunday, election officials said

Iceland goes to polls for referendum on European Union  ITVX

About 265,000 Icelanders are eligible to vote in a referendum on whether to trigger European Union membership talks. Supporters say membership could offer stability and protection against possible threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, while opponents say it's unnecessary and could endanger rich fishing stocks.

Some supporters believe the European Union could offer protections if Trump ever made similar threats against Iceland. But opponents are not happy that EU membership could jeopardize Iceland’s rich fishing stocks.

Trump's Greenland Threats Cast A Shadow On Iceland's Vote On Whether To Trigger EU Membership Talks  HuffPost

Amid economic and security challenges, Iceland is holding a referendum more than a decade after pausing accession talks.

Voters in Iceland are heading to the polls to decide whether the country should resume long-stalled negotiations on becoming a member of the European Union and they are doing so in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats on nearby Greenland

Trump's Greenland threats cast a shadow on Iceland's vote on whether to trigger EU membership talks  AP News

REYKJAVIK, Aug 29 - Icelanders vote on Saturday on whether to reopen membership talks with the European Union, with islanders split down the middle after months of debate focused on the cost of living, security and control over fishing waters.

Iceland votes on whether to start EU membership talks  Reuters

RUSHED: The elections in November are to include referendum questions on traffic fine revenue, caning as corporal punishment and abolishing the nuclear-free homeland policy By Lo Kuo-chia, Lin Che-yuan and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yes

Iceland will decide whether to restart talks on joining the European Union in a referendum on Saturday, with President Donald Trump's threat to annex Greenland a motivating factor.