Iceland vote deals blow to EU accession hopes

Iceland is on course to reject opening membership talks with the European Union, mbl.is reported on Sunday, with the No side leading 52.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent as final results from the Southwest constituency remained outstanding.

Sweden’s public broadcaster described the result under the headline “A blow for Brussels”.

“Iceland’s No to restarting accession talks with the EU is a blow for Brussels and raises questions about the bloc’s appeal,” the broadcaster reported. “Hopes were that a Yes vote would support increased ambition on enlargement. The outcome will now be the opposite.”