Iceland to vote on restarting EU accession talks amid sovereignty and fisheries debate

Iceland’s citizens will decide on Saturday whether to reopen accession negotiations with the European Union, a question that pits the desire for greater security and economic stability against the preservation of national sovereignty. The centre-left government, elected in 2024, pledged the referendum after earlier talks were suspended in 2013 and formally ended in 2015. Supporters, including Foreign Minister Thorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, claim EU membership would protect Iceland from shifting global alliances and offer benefits such as a stable currency and lower interest rates.

Opponents, led by Eurosceptic group Heimssýn’s Haraldur Ólafsson, warn that joining could jeopardise control over the lucrative fisheries sector, a core element of Icelandic identity. Recent comments by Donald Trump mistakenly referring to Greenland as “Iceland” have intensified concerns about U.S. intentions, prompting the government to accelerate the vote. A “yes” would launch a multi-year negotiation process covering 35 policy areas, while a “no” would close the issue.