Iceland rejects EU accession talks in decisive referendum

Icelanders have rejected reopening accession talks with the European Union, with 53 per cent voting against and 47 per cent in favour, mbl.is reported. Halldór Benjamín Þorbergsson, spokesperson for the Áfram Ísland campaign group, called the result “the clearest answer of the republican era”.

“A majority of the nation said no to accession talks with the EU. Since 1944, there has not been higher participation in a referendum,” he told mbl.is.

Halldór said it had been remarkable to be part of a broad alliance that formed under the Áfram Ísland banner just weeks ago and grew rapidly. He said people from across the country and from all parts of society had joined forces to argue that the EU’s fundamental character did not suit Iceland and that the country achieved the most by standing together as an independent nation.

He said the campaign had seen growing support throughout the campaign, with its backing increasing by about one percentage point each week and accelerating in the final stages. He was particularly pleased by increased engagement among young people who cared about Iceland’s independence and opposed allowing a distant power to determine their future.

“The election result is a victory for the Icelandic nation. The campaign has left wounds that will take time to heal. It is now important that people stand together and agree on how to improve the lives of Icelanders,” Halldór said.