Halldór Benjamín votes no to renewed EU accession talks

Halldór Benjamín Þorbergsson, an economist and CEO, voted against Iceland joining the European Union and restarting accession talks, he told mbl.is outside Hagaskóli school on Saturday.

“Iceland is at its most beautiful today,” he said.

Halldór, who has led the Áfram Ísland movement in recent weeks, said he was a “positive no-sayer”.

“I can say it. I am a positive no-sayer and say no to Iceland joining the European Union and consequently restarting accession negotiations with it,” he said.

He described the campaign as highly rewarding and enjoyable. Looking back on the nearly two months since Áfram Ísland began its campaign, he said the involvement of many committed people had been especially important.

The movement has held numerous meetings across the country, with several thousand people signing up to take part, he said. More than 2,000 people attended an outdoor Áfram Ísland meeting at Austurvöllur on Thursday, which he described as an unforgettable experience.

Asked how he viewed election day, Halldór said he was naturally cautious and had been following developments in recent days.

“We will do everything in our power today to encourage people to go to the polling station and exercise their right to vote,” he said.

He said he hoped turnout would be high.

“The more people who express their opinion, the better, because that makes the foundations of democracy stronger,” he said.