Iceland appears to have rejected the government's proposal to hold accession talks with the European Union, according to the public broadcaster RUV, with only a small number of votes left to count. The no camp held 52.5% of the votes, while the yes camp stood at 47.5%, with a few ballots remaining in one of Iceland's six voting districts, which was already leaning toward no, online ballot counting on RUV showed on Sunday.
RUV reports no camp victory
“The nation rejects accession negotiations with the EU,” RUV wrote, citing the preliminary results. Barring a major last-minute turnaround, the outcome deals a heavy blow to Brussels, which had been keen to welcome a wealthy new member and appeared willing to compromise with Iceland on thorny issues to facilitate its accession.
Impact on EU and Iceland
The result, if confirmed, would mark a significant setback for EU enlargement efforts in the Nordic region. Iceland, a nation of about 370,000 people, had previously shelved EU membership talks in 2013, and the referendum was seen as a key test of public sentiment toward renewed engagement with the bloc.
With only a few ballots left to count in one district, the margin appeared decisive, though officials have not yet issued a final declaration. The RUV projection, based on partial counts, indicated a consistent lead for the no side throughout the evening.
Observers noted that the result could influence Iceland's future foreign policy and trade arrangements, as the country is already a member of the European Economic Area, giving it access to the EU's single market without full membership.
Next steps and reactions
No immediate official statement from the Icelandic government was available, but the prime minister's office is expected to address the outcome once all votes are tallied. The final count is anticipated within hours, according to RUV.
Brussels had reportedly been prepared to offer concessions on sensitive areas such as fisheries and agriculture, which are central to Iceland's economy and identity. The rejection, if upheld, means those discussions will not proceed, leaving Iceland's relationship with the EU unchanged for now.
