In a victory for national sovereignty, Icelandic voters on August 29 rejected a proposal to restart negotiations to join the European Union (EU).
In a nationwide referendum, 52.8 percent of voters rejected the proposal, while 47.2 percent voted in favor. Voter turnout stood at 82.5 percent. Although voters in Reykjavík, the capital city, supported the proposal, rural voters strongly opposed it.
Opponents of EU membership emphasized that Iceland would lose its sovereignty — particularly its control over its waters, threatening the country’s fishing industry — if it joined the supranational bloc.
European Reactions
Conservative leaders in Europe celebrated the result. For example, Nigel Farage, who spearheaded Brexit in the United Kingdom, posted on X, “Congratulations to Iceland on voting to keep their independence.” And Marine Le Pen, a leading contender for France’s presidency next year, noted, “At a time when some are pushing for greater federalism and the transfer of sovereignty to the European Commission, this vote reminds us that another Europe is possible.”
The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, merely noted that it “respects the choice of the Icelandic people” and that “Iceland remains a close partner of the European Union.”
History
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 under a socialist government. In 2013, however, after the country elected a conservative-leaning government, it froze talks with the EU. In 2015, Iceland’s foreign minister wrote a letter withdrawing its application, although the EU claimed it remained valid. The country’s current, socialist-led government, elected in 2024, pledged to hold a referendum on EU membership.
Reclaiming Sovereignty?
Following the referendum’s results, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who spearheaded the vote, suggested that Iceland’s parliament would consider formally withdrawing the country’s EU-membership application.
Iceland is already highly integrated in EU institutions. For example, it is a member of the European Economic Area, which requires the country to adopt EU laws, as well as the Schengen Area, which eliminated border controls between member states.
Although Iceland will avoid EU membership — at least for the time being — it must go further and reclaim the sovereignty that it has already surrendered to the bloc. Rather than allowing their country to gradually be swallowed by an emerging “United States of Europe,” Icelanders must stand up for individual freedom and national independence.
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