Referendum

The "no" camp leads with 52.5% in a historic referendum. Approximately 272,000 Icelanders were eligible to vote on the future of EU accession talks.

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.

Against the backdrop of Donald Trump's threats regarding the American need for control in the Arctic region and his repeated statements about American annexation intentions for neighboring Greenland, the residents of Iceland will go to the polls this coming Saturday for a referendum that will decide whether to reopen accession talks with the European Union.

In September, a referendum will be held in the country that has sought to remain neutral since 1815. The initiative, which seeks to limit the possibility of imposing sanctions on warring states and reduce cooperation with military alliances, is opposed by most major parties. Another poll indicates a smaller gap between opponents and supporters.

Iceland is preparing for a referendum on whether to resume EU accession talks, which were frozen in 2013. Amidst geopolitical uncertainty and threats from the US, the nation is weighing the economic benefits of membership against the risk of losing control over its vital fishing industry.