Close race as Iceland votes on whether to restart talks on joining EU

What the report says

Icelanders are voting in a referendum on whether to reopen accession talks with the European Union, 13 years after negotiations were halted. BBC World News reports that the contest is extremely close, with recent polling showing the No side narrowly ahead, though earlier surveys had pointed the other way. Voting is taking place on Saturday, with results expected early on Sunday.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir’s centre-left government had planned a referendum eventually, but the vote was brought forward amid wider international tensions. Even so, the campaign has centered less on security than on questions of sovereignty and the future of Iceland’s fishing sector, which is a major part of the economy and a long-running obstacle to EU membership. Iceland is already in the European Economic Area and Schengen zone, but full EU entry would involve the customs union and, later, the euro.

A Yes vote would not mean immediate membership. It would instead support further negotiations, after which any final deal would still need parliamentary approval, a second referendum and changes to the constitution, as well as agreement from all EU member states. A No vote would not permanently block future talks.

The BBC says the debate has also touched on inflation, borrowing costs and security concerns linked to Russia’s activity and wider uncertainty over Europe’s defence environment. Supporters of EU talks argue Iceland should see what terms it can obtain, while opponents say the country should not give Brussels control over key resources.