MP says Kristrún reversed her EU stance

Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, an MP for Iceland’s Independence Party, says Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir has correctly argued that applying for European Union membership would not improve Iceland’s economic situation, mbl.is reports. He said she has changed her position on membership.

Guðlaugur Þór made the comments during a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of EU membership held at Harpa on Sunday. He also recalled that members of the governing parties had declined invitations to attend.

Government representatives absent

“When we received the invitation, it was expected that ministers or MPs would attend. They were not prepared to do so,” Guðlaugur Þór said. He added that he regretted their absence because the issue needed to be discussed openly and honestly.

He praised Jónas Hagan and Hjálmar Vilhjálmsson for taking part in the discussion and recalled the wording of Iceland’s EU application from July 16, 2009: “A vote is being held on whether we should apply for membership of the European Union.”

“It is forbidden to deceive”

Guðlaugur Þór said many people had forgotten what EU membership entails. He referred to earlier comments by Kristrún Frostadóttir, including remarks she made in August 2024.

“I know people think I am bluffing about this. It is forbidden to deceive. It is forbidden to deceive in this work,” he quoted her as saying.

He also cited her statement that she did not believe it was the right time to begin the process of joining the EU. In an interview with Morgunblaðið, she had said that people repeatedly begin calling for EU membership when the economy is performing poorly, inflation rises and interest rates are high.

“Everything she said there is true and correct,” Guðlaugur Þór said. He added that she had clearly explained that applying for EU membership would not resolve Iceland’s economic problems.

He also quoted her saying that the membership process was a major undertaking requiring broad public support, and that leaving the EU was not easy, as previous examples had shown.

“Something happened”

“I did not say this. Kristrún said it, but I agree with every word,” Guðlaugur Þór said.

He then contrasted those earlier comments with a statement Kristrún made to foreign media in July 2026: “I believe this is a great time for Iceland to join the European Union because of the international situation.”

“Something happened,” Guðlaugur Þór said.