Skip to content

Iceland votes to reject resumption of EU accession talks: narrow win for "no" camp

Iceland votes to reject resumption of EU accession talks: narrow win for "no" camp
30 articles·19 sources·updated about 1 hour ago·View in graph

Story Timeline

1 day · 2 summary articles

  1. Iceland votes to reject resumption of EU accession talks: narrow win for "no" camp

  2. Iceland votes in razor-thin referendum on resuming EU membership talks

    Continuation
politicsunited states of americaicelandeuropean union
AI-generated · Hosted in Europe

Icelanders have voted to reject the resumption of European Union accession talks, according to results reported by Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV on Sunday. With 52.5 percent voting against and 47.5 percent in favor, the “no” camp secured a narrow lead as votes from one remaining electoral district were still being counted .

The referendum, held on Saturday, asked voters: “Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?” The “no” vote performed strongly in rural areas, reaching up to 60 percent, while the “yes” side led in the capital Reykjavík, where a third of the country’s population lives . RÚV reported that the remaining district was unlikely to reverse the outcome .

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir’s government had pushed to reopen negotiations, but opposition centered on concerns over Iceland’s fishing waters, a key economic sector. The country of nearly 400,000 people applied for EU membership in 2009 following the financial crisis, but talks were suspended in 2013 after a eurosceptic government took power and formally ended in 2015 .

The result deals a setback to Brussels, where some officials had viewed Iceland as a low-risk candidate for accession. The EU had signaled willingness to find “creative solutions” on contentious issues like fisheries, according to reporting by The Journal . The referendum’s outcome is non-binding, but Frostadóttir’s coalition has pledged to respect the result .

International tensions, including the war in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated ambitions toward neighboring Greenland, featured in campaign debates, though domestic economic issues dominated discussions . The government has scheduled a press conference for Sunday at 1 p.m. local time to outline its next steps .

Share

Follow us for live European news

Source Intelligence
19 sources9 countries
Geographic Origin14 located
  • 5
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1

5 further sources not geolocated

Political Spectrum8 mapped

Articles

The debate that pits the "opening" against the "closing" of borders is increasingly disconnected from the real European issue After the crisis in Ceuta this summer, essayist Hakim El Karoui highlights the inconsistencies in European migration policy, drawing on data from the latest report by the Comité dAction pour la Méditerranée, which he founded.

The debate that pits the "opening" against the "closing" of borders is increasingly disconnected from the real European issue After the crisis in Ceuta this summer, essayist Hakim El Karoui highlights the inconsistencies in European migration policy, drawing on data from the latest report by the Comité dAction pour la Méditerranée, which he founded.

le monde · about 2 hours ago

Live From Europe

New Scanners can prevent Election Fraud, but not voter Suppression The introduction of new election technologies and scanners in the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina should reduce the possibility of voter fraud and manipulation, but it will not solve the problem of pressure on voters before election day itself. According to a study by the Coalition Under the Lens, as many as 40 percent […] The post New Scanners can prevent Election Fraud, but not voter Suppression appeared first on Sarajevo Times.

sarajevo times · about 2 hours ago

Live From Europe

In Islanda vince il no al referendum sullUnione Europea: elettori contrari alla riapertura dei negoziati La vittoria del no si è giocata fino allultimo voto, anche se nelle ultime ore prevaleva il vantaggio dei contrari. Poi è arrivata lufficialità dalla tv pubblica: lIslanda, chiamata alle urne nel referendum per la ripresa dei negoziati sulladesione allUnione Europea, sceglie – in sostanza – di non entrare nellunione doganale né tanto meno di […] Larticolo In Islanda vince il no al referendum sullUnione Europea: elettori contrari alla riapertura dei negoziati proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

il fatto quotidiano · about 2 hours ago

Live From Europe

Neue Umfrage: Mehr als jeder Fünfte würde Deutschland bei AfD-Regierung verlassen Bei der Wahl in Sachsen-Anhalt nächste Woche könnte die AfD erstmal die absolute Mehrheit erreichen. Zumindest auf Bundesebene hielten die Deutschen das für schädlich.

tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Femeile din politică se confruntă cu mai multe atacuri personale și sexualizate decât bărbații, arată o analiză recentă Spațiile online, în special rețelele sociale, constituie forumuri pentru dezbateri politice aprinse. Acestea oferă publicului larg un spațiu pentru a-și exprima opiniile politice, pentru a se organiza și, uneori, chiar pentru a interacționa direct cu politicienii. Deși au în mod evident un potențial democratizator, aceste platforme au devenit, de asemenea, un teren propice pentru discursul de ură, interacțiunile toxice și violența online, scrie The Conversation.

digi24 · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Dokumentarfilmer in Ceuta: „Wir wurden allein gelassen. Der Filmemacher Viktor Schimpf hat im August Migranten in Ceuta begleitet. Die taz hat ihn vom benachbarten Tanger aus telefonisch zu seinen Eindrücken befragt. mehr...

taz.de · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

How Cyprus is becoming a base for exporting senior data expertise Cyprus data expert says high-value services can rival software exports Cyprus can become a base for exporting high-value data expertise to technology companies across Europe and the United States as businesses increasingly embrace remote senior leadership, according to Nikolai Valiotti, chief data officer and founder of Valiotti Data. Valiotti has spent 17 years working in […]

cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Ceuta, un mese dopo gli arrivi in massa è sempre emergenza. La denuncia delle ong: Pochi alloggi, minori senza tutela e violenza istituzionale I riflettori mediatici si sono spenti, ma a Ceuta la crisi umanitaria aperta dagli arrivi di massa e dai respingimenti di fine luglio è tuttaltro che risolta. Lo denunciano le organizzazioni che da settimane lavorano sul territorio, No Name Kitchen (NNK) e la carovana solidale di Border Resistance, secondo cui lidea che lemergenza sia stata […] Larticolo Ceuta, un mese dopo gli arrivi in massa è sempre emergenza. La denuncia delle ong: Pochi alloggi, minori senza tutela e violenza istituzionale proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

il fatto quotidiano · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Politische Sprache und der Erfolg der AfD: Diese Partei heißt Abstieg für Deutschland Es ist nicht zu spät: Selbst wenn in wenigen Tagen in Sachsen-Anhalt gewählt wird, kann der angebliche Patriotismus der AfD noch erfolgreich ins Visier genommen werden. Ein Appell für mehr Fantasie, Einfühlung und sprachliches Denken.

tagesspiegel · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

Referendum: Island stimmt knapp über neue EU-Beitrittsgespräche ab Beim Referendum in Island zeichnet sich ein enges Rennen ab: Nach ersten Ergebnissen liegen Gegner und Befürworter einer Wiederaufnahme der EU-Verhandlungen nahezu gleichauf.

handelsblatt · about 4 hours ago

No vote moves ahead in Icelands EU referendum as counting continues The country went to the polls on Saturday on whether to resume entry talks with the European Union.

No vote moves ahead in Icelands EU referendum as counting continues The country went to the polls on Saturday on whether to resume entry talks with the European Union.

thejournal · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

Cyprus Business Now: weekly wrap-up Here are the top business stories in Cyprus from the week starting August 24: Reviving Cyprus villages requires more than new infrastructure, with investment in social life, culture and opportunities for young people equally important to their survival, Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis said. Speaking at Akapnous 36th annual community event over the weekend, Hadjimanolis said the […]

cyprus mail · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

Fonduri UE 2026: Granturi de câte 100.000-300.000 EUR pentru firme micro din județele Iași, Bacău, Suceava, Botoșani, Neamț, Vaslui. Ghidul oficial și perioada de înscrieri la finanțare Microîntreprinderile din cele 6 județe ale Regiunii de dezvoltare Nord-Est pot obține granturi de câte 100.000-300.000 EUR pe proiect, printr-o linie de fonduri europene programată să se deschidă online în luna septembrie 2026.  Citește mai departe pe StartupCafe… Foto: © Rochu2008 | Dreamstime.com

hotnews.ro · about 5 hours ago

Live From Europe

Iceland: European Union membership negotiations referendum 🇮🇸 First results from the Southwest constituency show an exact tie. Yes 9,900 (50.0) No 9,900 (50.0) Explore:

telegram_Europe Elects · about 5 hours ago

Live From Europe

EU posts first trade deficit since 2023 as energy import costs surge The European Union recorded a €21.8 billion trade deficit during the second quarter of 2026, marking the blocs first negative balance since the middle of 2023, according to Eurostat. Goods imported from non-EU nations reached €701.8 billion, easily outpacing exports of €680.0 billion during the three-month period. The shift represents the first trade deficit registered […]

cyprus mail · about 5 hours ago

Live From Europe

Temu și Shein, în declin. Taxa de 3 euro pe coletele din China a schimbat obiceiurile de cumpărături ale românilor Introducerea taxei de 3 euro pe fiecare categorie de articol comandat din afara Uniunii Europene i-a descurajat, în mare parte, pe români să mai comande din China. Unii fie au renunțat de tot, fie au redus drastic comenzile. Alții, în schimb, continuă să plaseze comenzi în același ritm, în ciuda taxei suplimentare. La nivelul Uniunii Europene, comenzile de pe site-uri ca Temu și Shein au scăzut abrupt, cu 30-40, anunța, zilele trecute, administrația vamală franceză.

digi24 · about 5 hours ago

Live From Europe

Sunny weather ahead as temperatures set to rise above seasonal average Seasonal low pressure is affecting the region, with mostly clear weather expected in Cyprus over the coming days and temperatures set to rise gradually above average by Wednesday. Today, the weather will be mostly clear, although locally increased cloud cover is expected early in the afternoon in mountainous and southern areas, which may bring isolated […]

in-cyprus · about 7 hours ago

Live From Europe

Referendum in Island: Knappe Mehrheit zeichnet sich in Island für EU-Beitrittsgespräche ab Eine Volksabstimmung entscheidet über Islands Haltung zur EU. Fast die Hälfte der Stimmen sind ausgezählt – und es deutet sich eine Mehrheit für Beitrittsgespräche an.

die zeit · about 9 hours ago

Live From Europe

Rösträkningen igång i Island – extremt jämnt Det är extremt jämnt i Islands folkomröstning om förhandlingar för ett EU-medlemskap när drygt 100 000 röster räknats, rapporterar public service-bolaget Rúv.

svenska dagbladet · about 9 hours ago

Live From Europe

Vor Wahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: Ex-Kanzlerin Merkel – Müssen für diese Demokratie kämpfen Angela Merkel warnt davor, die politische Debatte zu stark von der AfD bestimmen zu lassen. Die Partei sei längst nicht mehr nur im Osten, sondern zu einem gesamtdeutschen Phänomen geworden.

handelsblatt · about 10 hours ago

„Deutschland kann auch mit 60 Millionen leben Die AfD-Jugendorganisation Generation Deutschland trifft sich in Magdeburg zu ihrem Bundeskongress. Der Vorsitzende Hohm fordert millionenfache Abschiebungen, AfD-Spitzenkandidat Siegmund schildert zwei Szenarien für die anstehende Landtagswahl.

„Deutschland kann auch mit 60 Millionen leben Die AfD-Jugendorganisation Generation Deutschland trifft sich in Magdeburg zu ihrem Bundeskongress. Der Vorsitzende Hohm fordert millionenfache Abschiebungen, AfD-Spitzenkandidat Siegmund schildert zwei Szenarien für die anstehende Landtagswahl.

welt.de · about 11 hours ago

La parálisis de Sánchez en Ceuta hunde a España en una crisis de Estado Un mes después de la entrada masiva, ante la desesperación de los ceutíes y el pasmo del Gobierno, el Estado no ha sido capaz de devolver la normalidad a una ciudad amenazada ni de gestionar racionalmente la relación con Marruecos Leer

La parálisis de Sánchez en Ceuta hunde a España en una crisis de Estado Un mes después de la entrada masiva, ante la desesperación de los ceutíes y el pasmo del Gobierno, el Estado no ha sido capaz de devolver la normalidad a una ciudad amenazada ni de gestionar racionalmente la relación con Marruecos Leer

elmundo · about 11 hours ago

Live From Europe

Heres What Youll Soon be Able to Build in Croatia Without a Permit August the 30th, 2026 – You will soon be able to build certain types of buildings in Croatia without the need for a permit as the rules change. The new Rulebook (Pravilnik) on buildings and works for which a building permit is not required is in public consultation until the 3rd of September. Poslovni reports ... Read more The post Heres What Youll Soon be Able to Build in Croatia Without a Permit appeared first on Total Croatia.

total croatia news · about 11 hours ago

Live From Europe

Dubrovnik Airport No Longer Requires Liquid and Electronics Removal August the 30th, 2026 – Dubrovnik Airport no longer requires liquid and electronic removal from hand luggage, making the security process much more smooth. Dubrovnik Airport has begun introducing a new generation of technology for the security screening of passengers and hand luggage. These are devices that enable a three-dimensional display of luggage contents and ... Read more The post Dubrovnik Airport No Longer Requires Liquid and Electronics Removal appeared first on Total Croatia.

total croatia news · about 11 hours ago

Live From Europe

„Höchster je gemessener Vorsprung: AfD liegt in neuer Umfrage neun Punkte vor der Union CDU/CSU mit Kanzler Merz fallen in einer Erhebung wieder auf 20 Prozent zurück. Die Rechten mit Weidel und Chrupalla setzen sich so weiter ab. Auch für die FDP gibt es schlechte Nachrichten.

tagesspiegel · about 12 hours ago

Live From Europe

The border: one Orban policy that the new Government dares not touch Viktor Orban is no longer at the helm of the Hungarian government, but some of the policies that have defended Budapests position on migration for years remain even after the change of government. The most visible symbol is the fence on the southern border. Although the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced changes in relations […] The post The border: one Orban policy that the new Government dares not touch appeared first on Republika English.

republika macedonia · about 12 hours ago

Icelands EU referendum: polling stations close as Europe awaits results Polling stations in Icelands EU referendum closed Saturday at 10 p local time, with vote counting underway and results due overnight. Voters were asked whether to resume EU accession negotiations, frozen since 2013. Turnout appeared as high as in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Icelands EU referendum: polling stations close as Europe awaits results Polling stations in Icelands EU referendum closed Saturday at 10 p local time, with vote counting underway and results due overnight. Voters were asked whether to resume EU accession negotiations, frozen since 2013. Turnout appeared as high as in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

euronews · about 12 hours ago

Live From Europe

Dominic Fritz, către timișoreni: „Ţinta PSD-AUR cu legea ANI e să vă omoare speranţa. Refuz să ne lăsăm descurajaţi Preşedintele USR, Dominic Fritz, a declarat sâmbătă, după ce legea ANI a fost publicată în Monitorul Oficial, că ţinta PSD-AUR cu această lege este „să omoare speranţa şi anunţă că va transforma aceste 30 de zile dintr-un „abuz într-un „festival al faptelor prin care am schimbat Timişoara.

digi24 · about 13 hours ago

Live From Europe

Landtagswahl: AfD-Jugend streitet über Weidels Euro-Kurs Die AfD-Chefin forderte zuletzt erneut Deutschlands Austritt aus dem Euro. Der Chef der Parteijugend lehnt das ab . Der Konflikt trifft die AfD vor den Landtagswahlen in Ostdeutschland.

handelsblatt · about 13 hours ago

Live From Europe

Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: Sind die Ossis doof oder die Wessis? In Sachsen-Anhalt droht eine AfD-Regierung. Doch das eigentliche Problem geht über das Bundesland hinaus. Das liberale Zeitalter ist vorbei. mehr...

taz.de · about 13 hours ago