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Icelanders Narrowly Oppose Talks on EU Membership

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A new poll shows Icelanders narrowly divided over whether the country should reopen negotiations with the European Union. The August 24-27 survey of 4,583 people found 51.6% opposed talks on EU membership, while 48.4% supported them.

Iceland ended its previous EU accession talks in 2013 after a Eurosceptic government came to power. However, rising living costs and the war in Ukraine have renewed public interest in reconsidering membership, with the government describing the issue as a “now or never” moment.

EU membership would give Iceland a direct role in European decision-making and access to the bloc’s customs union, while also providing the option of adopting the euro. The latest polling highlights how closely divided voters remain ahead of the referendum.

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Iceland Plans Autumn Referendum on Restarting EU Membership Talks

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Iceland’s government is preparing to propose a referendum on whether to restart negotiations to join the European Union. According to public broadcaster RUV, the government is expected to submit a bill to parliament next week seeking approval to hold the vote later this year.

Sources cited by the broadcaster suggest the referendum is most likely to take place in late September. If approved, the vote would decide whether the country should resume EU accession talks that were abandoned in 2013 after four years of negotiations.

Interest in EU membership has grown again in recent years due to rising living costs and geopolitical tensions following the war in Ukraine. Political developments, including remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about annexing Greenland, have also added urgency to the debate over Iceland’s future ties with the European Union.

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