Relief and sorrow in Iceland after EU membership talks referendum fails

The result of the referendum has also been hailed by right-wing figures from across the UK and France.

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

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

Iceland voters have rejected a government-backed referendum to reopen European Union membership talks, broadcaster RUV reported on Sunday, Aug. 30. The “no” campaign successfully argued that joining the EU would jeopardize the island’s sovereignty and vital fishing waters, countering arguments that membership would eas

The referendum result halts Iceland's bid to reopen EU membership talks, with 52.5 percent voting against the proposal.

Iceland votes 'No' to resuming talks for joining EU  Dawn

Iceland REJECTS EU membership talks as 'now or never' referendum deals blow to bloc expansion  GB News

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

In a referendum held on Saturday, Icelanders voted 'no' to restarting talks towards membership in the bloc after a campaign dominated by debates over the nation's sovereignty and independence.

In a referendum held on Saturday, Icelanders voted 'no' to restarting talks towards membership in the bloc after a campaign dominated by debates over the nation's sovereignty and independence.

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.

The country is already part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, which allows frictionless movement of people, goods, capital and services.

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

Some 47.5% of voters supported the government's proposal while 52.5% said no, according to local broadcaster RUV's estimates. Final results are expected later on Sunday.

Iceland has voted against a government proposal to resume talks to join the European Union, according to a public broadcaster.

Iceland poised to reject EU membership talks  euractiv.com

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.

‘Yes’ vote takes early lead in Iceland’s EU talks referendum  CNN

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

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

Icelanders voted on Saturday on whether to reopen membership talks with the European Union in a referendum that’s testing the bloc’s geopolitical appeal.

Icelanders go to the polls on Saturday in a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, in a tight race that will be closely watched in Brussels. The country of just under 400,000 people applied to join the EU in the wake of a 2009 financial crisis that devastated its economy. The m

VOTERS are heading to the polls to decide whether the country should resume long-stalled negotiations on becoming a member of the European Union

Icelanders go to the polls on Saturday in a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, in a tight race that will be closely watched in Brussels. The country of just under 400,000 people applied to join the EU in the wake of a 2009 financial crisis that devastated its economy.

The Nordic nation shelved earlier plans to join the EU over fishing rights, but geopolitics, including Trump's threat to seize Greenland, has prompted a rethink.

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

Trump’s push to acquire Greenland and growing uncertainty over U.S. security commitments have added a geopolitical dimension to Iceland’s EU debate.