REYKJAVIK, ICELAND / RankWire.AI / – In a nationwide referendum held on August 29, the electorate in Iceland decided against reopening negotiations for accession with the European Union. The No camp secured 52.8% of the votes, whereas 47.2% favored resuming talks. According to reports from Iceland’s National Electoral Commission, the count was 118,040 No votes and 105,339 Yes votes, with 223,379 valid ballots counted out of 225,031 votes cast across the country.
The voter turnout reached 82.6%, with 272,591 individuals listed on the electoral register. The referendum posed a single question regarding whether Iceland should restart accession negotiations with the EU, explicitly not seeking approval for EU membership. Under Icelandic election law, the result is advisory; nonetheless, the government had pledged to honor the voters’ decision.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir supported the idea of reopening negotiations prior to the vote. Following the result, she announced the government would respect the outcome and would not pursue accession talks during its current term, which extends until 2028. This decision maintains Iceland’s existing European arrangements, including its participation in the European Economic Area and access to the EU single market.
Result Ensures a Halt to Accession Negotiations
Iceland first sought EU membership in July 2009, following the financial crisis that hit the country. Negotiations commenced in 2010, but these were halted after a change in government in 2013. At that time, 27 chapters had been opened and 11 were provisionally closed. In 2015, Iceland formally requested the European Union not to regard it as a candidate for membership.
The government has maintained that Iceland’s original application for membership was never formally withdrawn and remains legally valid. On May 28, Parliament approved the August referendum after the government submitted the proposal earlier that year. The ballot offered only Yes and No options, and government information prior to the vote clarified that the referendum was about renewing negotiations, not a direct decision on EU membership.
Existing Agreements Keep European Ties Intact
Voting results varied significantly across Iceland’s six constituencies. Reykjavík North showed support for renewed negotiations with 57.5% voting Yes, while Reykjavík South had 54.5% backing. The other four constituencies primarily voted No, with the Northwest leading opposition at 62.9%. The Northeast followed closely at 61.2%, and the South constituency recorded 60.5% against restarting accession negotiations.
Despite remaining outside the EU, Iceland continues to maintain strong ties with the bloc. It has been part of the European Economic Area since 1994, as well as a member of the Schengen Area and European Free Trade Association. The EEA enables Iceland’s participation in the EU single market and implements a significant portion of EU legislation in the country. The National Electoral Commission stated that its formal process will also involve resolving disputes over ballots before issuing the final referendum results.