Reykjavik, 30 August 2026
The referendum split Iceland 52.8% to 47.2%, leaving the two camps only 5.6 percentage points apart. The government pledged to respect the result and reinforce EEA ties. MEPs from the EPP and S&D stressed that close EU-Iceland relations should continue; the ECR said the vote should prompt reflection in Brussels on sovereignty and subsidiarity.
Iceland’s government held a press conference at Harpa Concert Hall at 1 p.m. on Sunday, discussing the results of the referendum on resuming accession negotiations with the European Union. The government said it will respect the outcome of Sunday’s referendum, in which a majority voted against resuming negotiations on European Union membership. Government leaders welcomed the high voter turnout and said the focus would now turn to key domestic priorities, according to a report by public TV RÚV.
Kristrún Frostadóttir: Respect the referendum result
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir welcomed the strong turnout in the referendum, with more than 81 percent of voters participating. She said the government had promised to give the public an opportunity to express its view on the issue: “This is a commitment and a promise that has been discussed over the years, broken by previous governments, and was one of the main issues we put forward.” She stressed the importance of respecting both sides, given the narrow margin. Around 53 percent voted against resuming closer cooperation with the European Union, while 47 percent supported it.
Kristrún also said the referendum had raised important discussions about Iceland’s position in the world, the economy and key domestic issues. She emphasised the importance of strengthening Iceland’s position within the EEA and said the government would now focus on major domestic priorities.
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir: High turnout is a victory for democracy
Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir views the more than 80 percent voter turnout as a major victory for democracy: “For me as foreign minister, it was incredibly positive to see that the discussion about international affairs was much more prominent in society than before”.
Þorgerður Katrín says EU membership was never the goal in itself. Rather, it is a means to an end: greater prosperity and economic stability for all Icelanders. She says the government will respect the outcome of the referendum and that she had asked for the Foreign Affairs Committee to convene tomorrow to review what lies ahead.
She says it is crucial to continue meeting Iceland’s international commitments, maintain and deepen cooperation across the Atlantic and strengthen national defence. The challenges ahead remain enormous.
Inga Sæland: The people have spoken
Minister of Education and Children Inga Sæland says the government remains united and will respect the decision made by the public in the referendum. She rejected suggestions that the outcome could create tensions within the government, saying that in a democracy, giving the people the power to decide should never be considered sensitive. She said the people had spoken and that their decision would be respected.
Kristrún exchanged messages with European Council President, António Costa
The government leaders were asked whether they had received any reaction from Brussels and whether they believed Iceland’s relationship with the European Union would change. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said she had exchanged messages with António Costa, President of the European Council. She said the European Union understands that there is still strong support for maintaining a close relationship between Iceland and the EU.
Later today, she will speak with the Prime Minister of Norway, among other things about cooperation through the EEA: “We will continue to actively defend Iceland’s interests. I do not see this as a step backwards. If anything, it is a step forward, as it has confirmed the will of most parties in Parliament and the public to continue cooperating with the European Union.” Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir has been in contact with Norway’s foreign minister and says that protecting the EEA Agreement must now be the priority.
The issue will not move forward under the current government
The government leaders were asked what process would follow after voters rejected resuming EU accession negotiations: “It is clear that this issue will not move forward under this government”, Kristrún said. She described this as the natural course following the referendum.
Þorgerður Katrín said it was important to consult with Parliament in the aftermath of the referendum. She wants to discuss, among other things, strengthening Iceland’s defence and bilateral relations with other countries with the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Government not committing to formally withdrawing EU membership application
The government leaders were asked whether the government intended to submit a parliamentary resolution to formally withdraw Iceland’s application for EU membership. “We will consult with Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on the best way to close this chapter. We are not making any firm decisions on that at this point”, the Prime Minister said. Kristrún reiterated, however, that the outcome of the referendum would be respected and that no further EU accession negotiations would take place under the current government.
Editorial note by RÚV: RÚV is independent of the interests of politics, business, public authorities and private parties. Our news reporting and programme-making are based on credibility and impartiality. RÚV staff work in accordance with working rules on news and programme content.
Source – RÚV
Statement by MEPs McAllister (CDU) and Lins (CDU) on the outcome of the referendum in Iceland
On the outcome of the referendum on opening EU accession negotiations in Iceland, David McAllister (CDU), Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Norbert Lins (CDU), Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Countries of the North and the EEA/EFTA States (DEEA), stated:
“The people of Iceland have decided, by a narrow majority, against resuming accession negotiations with the European Union. This sovereign democratic decision must be respected.
The result does not change the relationship between Iceland and the European Union. Iceland is already closely integrated into European cooperation. Through the European Economic Area, the country is part of the Single Market, belongs to the Schengen Area and participates in numerous European programmes, including in research, education and innovation. Iceland is also a member of NATO.
Iceland remains a reliable partner with which Europe shares common democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based international order.”
Translation disclaimer: E-translated by ChatGPT. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the German version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.
Source – EPP CDU/CSU
“Europe’s door remains open” – Statement by MEP René Repasi, S&D/SPD
A majority of Icelanders have voted against resuming talks on accession to the European Union. The referendum result was close, with 52.8% voting against and 47.2% in favour.
René Repasi, Chair of the SPD Group in the European Parliament:
“The result is regrettable from a European perspective, but it must of course be respected. A majority of Icelanders have made their decision – and Europe accepts that decision.
Apparently, concerns about maintaining the independence of Iceland’s fisheries policy ultimately proved decisive. At the beginning of the year, Trump’s threats had demonstrated the value of a strong Europe. Those geopolitical concerns have apparently receded into the background again. For the EU, one thing is clear: Europe’s door remains open to Iceland. The EU’s fundamental interest in closer cooperation remains unchanged. Solutions could certainly be found even on difficult issues such as fisheries policy. This US President demonstrates how quickly supposed certainties in world politics can disappear. Europe remains.
Iceland’s ‘No’ is not an omen for EU enlargement. Fisheries policy has a significance in Iceland that is hardly comparable with its importance for other candidate countries. Anyone who interprets this result in Iceland as a general test of public sentiment towards EU enlargement is comparing apples with fish. For the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the European question presents itself more directly as a geopolitical and security policy choice – particularly with regard to Russia. Between Trump, Putin and growing global uncertainty, Europe is more than a Single Market – it is a strategic insurance policy.”
Translation disclaimer: E-translated by ChatGPT. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the German version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.
Source – S&D/SPD
Icelandic vote should prompt reflection in Brussels, says ECR
The ECR Group said the decision of the Icelandic people to reject the reopening of accession negotiations with the European Union should prompt reflection in Brussels. At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, many had expected the case for closer integration with the European Union to become more persuasive. Instead, Icelanders chose not even to reopen accession negotiations. In the opinion of ECR Group Co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini (Italy) and Patryk Jaki (Poland), the result should not be dismissed lightly. It underlines the need for the European Union to address concerns about national sovereignty, democratic accountability and subsidiarity.
Commenting on the result, ECR Group Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini said: “The Icelandic people have made a sovereign and democratic choice, and that choice deserves to be fully respected. At a time when the international security environment has become far more uncertain than it was a decade ago, many expected support for reopening accession negotiations to grow. The fact that the Icelandic people nevertheless chose not to take even that first step should give Brussels pause. If a prosperous, democratic and outward-looking European country remains unconvinced that resuming EU membership talks might be the right path, the European Union should ask itself how it can better respect sovereignty and subsidiarity, become more effective and competitive, and focus more clearly on the areas where European cooperation adds genuine value. The European Union must reflect on this.”
ECR Group Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki said: “Iceland’s decision must be respected, and Brussels should take its implications seriously. Throughout the campaign, questions of national sovereignty played an important role. Those concerns should not be dismissed or caricatured. If a people fears that decisions on matters of fundamental national importance could eventually be taken beyond its democratic control, and therefore decides not even to resume negotiations, the European Union must consider carefully what this says about its current direction. The European Union is strongest when it respects the identities, democratic choices and constitutional traditions of its nations. Public confidence cannot be built by asking countries to surrender responsibilities unnecessarily, but by demonstrating where European cooperation delivers clear added value and by ensuring that no Member State can be overwhelmed by others.”
Source – ECR