Global media turn focus to Iceland EU referendum

International news outlets are closely following Saturday’s referendum on whether Iceland should resume its European Union membership negotiations, mbl.is reports. Several major media organisations have already published coverage of the vote.

The New York Times published an article headlined “The sauna is hot and uncomfortable” – a reference to how the EU referendum is making Iceland sweat. It focuses on how divided Icelanders are, with opinion polls showing no significant difference between those in favour and those opposed.

“Many have strong views on whether Iceland should preserve the hard-won independence it fought for or seek the stability and protection associated with EU membership,” the article says, after speaking to several Icelanders.

The report opens with the story of Guðlaug Björnsdóttir, who had warned her family that she would leave if their dinner-table discussion turned to the referendum. Despite her warning, the conversation at a dinner in the small town of Tálknafjörður last Friday eventually turned to the vote.

“I’m leaving, whether you like it or not,” Guðlaug is quoted as saying before standing up with her wine glass in her hand.

A CNN report is headlined “A small Nordic nation considers closer ties with Europe in Trump’s shadow”. It begins with a description of Icelandic weather, noting that severe frosts usually last for about five months of the year, while the government chose a mild summer day for its policy-setting referendum.

Like The New York Times, CNN highlights the closely matched opinion polls. The report also examines the influence of US President Donald Trump on public debate in Iceland.

According to Ragnar Hjálmarsson, an expert at the Icelandic think tank Vörður, Icelanders are not accustomed to viewing their country as strategically important, but that is changing rapidly. The Trump administration’s actions regarding Greenland have caused some concern, he says.

The report also says Trump repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland while discussing his demands for control over the neighbouring Arctic territory. Ragnar is quoted as saying that this made Icelanders more aware of the country’s strategic importance, but did not change what voters are discussing.

A video report by the Reuters news agency shows the work of the campaign groups Já til að sjá and Áfram Ísland. It also examines how the situation in Iceland and international affairs have changed since negotiations with the EU were paused in 2013.

Reuters identifies three main issues at the centre of the referendum: high interest rates, control of Iceland’s fishing grounds and national security.