Iceland Edges Closer to EU Membership Amid Economic and Geopolitical Pressures

Iceland's recent shift in favor of joining the EU has been attributed to various factors, including Washington's threats to seize Greenland and the country's economic problems. The electorate was previously divided into three almost equal parts: those in favor of sovereignty and independence, those in favor of joining the EU, and a third group that wavered between the two.

However, recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russian aggression against Ukraine, Chinese ambitions in the North Pole, and Trump's second term in office have contributed to the undecideds shifting towards the European bloc. The issue of joining the EU is not primarily economic for Iceland, but rather strategic, with some people seeing it as a solution to chronic inflation and high interest rates.

The country can potentially close negotiations with the EU within a few months due to its existing membership in the Single Market and Schengen Agreement. Montenegro's entry into the EU alongside Iceland is also symbolic, given that Iceland was one of the first countries to recognize Montenegro's independence after a referendum 20 years ago.