Iceland's EU Referendum Too Close to Call as Voters Weigh Membership

Iceland's bid to rejoin European Union membership talks is too close to call after a recent referendum. Voter turnout was high, ranging from 60% in Reykjavík to over 80% in rural areas. A Gallup poll found that 51.6% of respondents opposed restarting negotiations, while 48.4% supported it.

The country initially applied for EU membership in 2009 but talks stalled in 2013 due to disagreements on fisheries and other issues. Despite not being a member, Iceland has strong ties with mainland Europe through NATO, which includes regular airbase rotations and hosting allied aircraft at Keflavík airport.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir advocates for joining the EU to protect against bilateral tariffs that could be difficult for Iceland's small economy to handle alone.