Iceland votes on whether to restart EU talks in a razor-thin referendum

Iceland votes on whether to restart talks on joining EU

Icelanders are voting in a referendum on whether to resume European Union accession talks, 13 years after they were suspended. With a population under 400,000, the outcome is too close to call, with polls showing a near tie. The debate centers on sovereignty, particularly control over Iceland's vital fishing industry, rather than security concerns. A Yes vote would not mean immediate membership but would move toward an accession agreement, subject to a second referendum and parliamentary approval. The No campaign warns against ceding decision-making to Brussels, while the Yes side argues EU membership could bring economic benefits, including lower interest rates.