Iceland voters reject plan to restart EU membership talks
A referendum in Iceland has turned down a government proposal to reopen negotiations on joining the European Union.
Icelanders voted against resuming European Union accession talks in a referendum on Saturday, with the government’s proposal failing by a narrow margin. Broadcaster RUV reported that 52.8% of voters chose no.
The yes side received just over 47% of ballots, leaving about 9,500 votes between the two camps, according to the results cited by international outlets.
Iceland is already part of the EU single market and the Schengen travel zone. Full membership would also bring the country into the bloc’s customs union and could lead to adoption of the euro.
The vote comes after years of debate in Iceland over whether closer ties with Brussels would outweigh the costs of joining the bloc.
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