Iceland rejected in a referendum the reopening of accession negotiations with the European Union, with 52.8% of votes (118,040) voting "no" and 47.2% (105,339) voting "yes". The referendum took place last weekend, with the final results known on Sunday, August 30, refusing to resume an accession process that had been suspended in 2013.
Social-democratic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir considered the result "a victory for democracy" and not a setback, stating that her government will not resume accession negotiations during this legislative term, which ends in 2028. The refusal freezes any discussion of Icelandic accession at least until that date.
The result is described as a strategic setback for the EU in a context of Donald Trump's approach to the North Atlantic, with interest in control of fisheries and agriculture, which represent 40% of Icelandic exports, and Greenland. Iceland, whose defense is ensured by the United States and NATO, faces growing concerns about sovereignty and national control, which ultimately prevailed over the security arguments of "yes" supporters.
The European Union, through President of the European Council António Costa, expressed full respect for the democratic decision of the Icelandic people, reiterating that Iceland remains one of the closest and most trusted partners of the 27 member states, namely through the European Economic Area.
