Iceland Voters Reject Restarting European Union Membership Accession Talks

Iceland's voters rejected reopening European Union membership talks in a referendum on Saturday, with a narrow split of 52.8% to 47.2% against resuming accession negotiations.

This result is seen as an uncomfortable reality check for Brussels, which had hoped a hazardous world would make the EU more attractive. Nicola Procaccini, co-chair of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists group, stated that the Icelandic people's choice not to take even the first step should give Brussels pause. The vote is not a death blow to the 450 million-strong bloc, as Iceland has fewer than 400,000 people and a smaller GDP than Estonia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made no public statement, with an anonymous spokesperson saying Brussels had taken note of the results. European Council President António Costa, through his spokesperson, said the EU fully respects the democratic choice of the Icelandic people. Dagur Eggertsson, an MP and former Mayor of Reykjavík, noted a very harsh campaign with a lot of money, echoing the "Brexit playbook."

Talks with the EU to join the bloc had begun after the 2008 financial crisis but had been suspended. The referendum pitted concerns about geopolitical stability against keeping national control of Iceland's prized fisheries. Iceland's government had asked Brussels not to interfere in what Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir stressed was a domestic matter. The government confirmed it will not restart EU accession negotiations during its term.

EU officials had hoped a "Yes" vote would be an endorsement of Europe's attractiveness in the world. John Fund of The Spectator noted that elites in Reykjavik were the only part of the country to vote "Yes," and that a majority of voters did not see why Iceland should be shackled to a European superstate that could dilute its sovereignty and control over fishing waters.