Iceland Votes Down EU Membership Bid

Iceland's bid to join the European Union has been rejected in a recent referendum. The measure was defeated by a narrow margin, with 52.8% of voters opposing it and 47.2% in favour. This decision brings an end to over a decade of debate on EU membership that began when a euroskeptic government halted negotiations in 2015.

The capital city of Reykjavik was the only region to support the proposal, with around 400,000 people participating in the vote. The decision to hold the referendum was made by the left-leaning government elected in 2024, who moved it up from next year after US President Donald Trump mentioned Iceland while discussing Greenland.

Supporters of EU membership argued that it could provide better protection against future threats and help reduce inflation and interest rates. They also highlighted the need for stronger ties with European neighbours to tackle issues like climate change that cross borders. However, those opposed to joining the EU pointed to the importance of Iceland's fishing industry and noted that the country already enjoys benefits from the EU's single market and Schengen free-travel zone without losing its sovereignty.