Iceland at a crossroads: tight race in the referendum on joining the European Union
The race in the Icelandic referendum is particularly tight; after counting about 40% of the votes, supporters of resuming negotiations for joining the European Union are leading with 51.2%. In rural areas, a majority for the opponents is emerging, while in the capital, Reykjavik, the camp supporting accession is leading.
The referendum in Iceland on the question of resuming negotiations for joining the European Union is proving to be particularly tight. After counting more than 87,000 votes, about 40% of the total, the pro-accession camp is leading with 51.2%, compared to 48.8% for the opponents, reports the European news network Euronews tonight.
The partial results indicate clear gaps between the capital, Reykjavik, and the country's rural areas. In rural regions, opponents of resuming negotiations with the European Union are receiving support of nearly 60%, while in the capital, a clear majority for the pro-accession camp is emerging.
In the Southern district, after counting almost 10,000 votes, opponents received 59.8%, compared to 40.2% for supporters. In the South-West district, a complete tie was recorded at this stage — 9,900 votes for each camp. In the North-West district, opponents lead with 60.8%, and in the North-East district, they receive 56%.
In contrast, in the two districts of Reykjavik, the picture is the opposite. In the south of the capital, after counting more than 20,000 votes, supporters of resuming contacts with the European Union lead with 55.9%, compared to 44.1% for opponents. In the north of the capital, the gap is even larger — 59.4% for supporters compared to 40.6% for opponents.
The gaps between the capital and the rural areas were expected. In rural regions, there is greater opposition to closer ties with the European Union, partly due to concerns regarding the fishing and agricultural sectors, while residents of Reykjavik are more inclined to support it.
The polls closed last night, and about 272,000 eligible voters were called to decide whether Iceland should resume negotiations on its accession to the European Union or abandon the possibility of joining in the foreseeable future. According to preliminary data, the turnout was similar to or higher than that recorded in the 2024 parliamentary elections, when it stood at 80%.
Iceland applied to join the European Union following the 2009 economic crisis, but negotiations were frozen after the rise to power of a government opposing accession in 2013. The vote count continues, and further results are expected to be published during the night.
