Icelandic MP argues against joining the European Union

Jón Pétur Zimsen, an MP for Iceland’s Independence Party, argues in an opinion article published by mbl.is that Iceland should defend its current position rather than move towards European Union membership.

Zimsen says earlier generations transformed Iceland from one of Europe’s poorest countries into one of its wealthiest. He also describes Iceland as one of the world’s safest societies, with considerable equality and purchasing power.

He says Iceland already has close ties with Europe through the European Economic Area, which gives the country access to the internal market and its four freedoms. At the same time, Iceland remains outside the EU’s common fisheries, agricultural and trade policies and can negotiate free-trade agreements, including through the European Free Trade Association.

“This is a strong position for a small nation,” Zimsen writes, adding that any change would require a clear assessment of what Iceland would gain and what it would sacrifice.

He identifies three main concerns. First, EU membership would mean sharing decision-making power with other member states, rather than simply increasing cooperation with Europe. For a nation of 400,000 people, he says, it is valuable to respond quickly, make decisions based on its own circumstances and protect its interests.

Second, he argues that Iceland already enjoys access to the internal market, control over important resources and some of the world’s best living standards. He contrasts this with what he describes as slow productivity growth, an innovation gap and high energy costs within the European Union.

Third, he warns of uncertainty during the process. Membership negotiations could take years, he says, while domestic priorities such as lowering interest rates and inflation, building more housing, improving education and creating greater value would remain unresolved.

“We do not have to choose between Iceland and Europe,” Zimsen writes. Iceland is a European nation, he says, and can maintain close and constructive cooperation with Europe without joining the European Union.

He concludes that it is not enough to call for negotiations simply to see what is being offered. Before beginning such a process, Iceland must ask what is wrong with its current position and what would genuinely improve it.

Zimsen ends by urging voters to “say no” on 29 August.