Iceland rejects EU membership plan in referendum, after almost all votes were counted

Icelanders have rejected a government proposal to restart accession talks with the European Union, with 52.5% voting against and 47.5% in favor in a recent referendum. The public broadcaster RUV reported these results after counting 188,500 out of 270,000 eligible votes. Proponents of joining the EU argued it could alleviate high interest rates and provide greater security amid global instability, including the war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland. Conversely, opponents, such as former President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, who stated, "Today is our encounter with history," contended that EU membership would jeopardize Iceland's sovereignty and control over its fishing waters. Iceland initially applied to join the EU in 2009 but halted talks in 2013; renewed geopolitical tensions had brought new urgency to the debate.