Iceland Votes Down EU Re-entry Bid Amid Fishing Industry Concerns

Iceland held a referendum on rejoining the European Union, and voters rejected the proposal by a margin of 52.8% to 47.2%. The National Electoral Commission announced the result after counting all ballots cast in the election.

The issue was divisive, with opponents arguing that EU membership would compromise Iceland's sovereignty and allow foreign trawlers to exploit its fisheries. Proponents, on the other hand, claimed that joining the EU would bring stability and lower inflation rates.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said she respected the result but did not consider it a setback for her government. The referendum was held earlier than planned after U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Iceland four times while discussing his interest in Greenland, sparking fears of American expansionism.