Author praises Iceland vote against renewed EU talks

In a submitted article published by mbl.is, natural scientist Hjörleifur Guttormsson praises the result of Iceland’s 29 August referendum on whether to resume negotiations on European Union membership that began in 2013.

Government leaders presented the proposal in early March. Although some criticised the timing of the vote at the end of summer, Alþingi approved the date in late May.

Guttormsson says there was little public debate at first. Critics later held a well-attended meeting at Sjálfstæðishúsið, a political meeting venue in Reykjavík, on 6 July under the title “Forward Iceland”. More meetings followed as the vote approached, including a large outdoor gathering at Austurvöllur, a public square in Reykjavík.

He writes that supporters of the proposal also campaigned, and that approval initially appeared almost certain. According to Guttormsson, the results showed that a majority of people outside Reykjavík understood the consequences of EU membership for Iceland and the country. He says Reykjavík voters were more supportive of membership than people elsewhere and that, had they decided the outcome, Iceland would still be an EU applicant.

Guttormsson also credits several political figures and parties with opposing membership, including leaders of the Independence Party, the Centre Party and supporters of the Left Green Movement. He says all political parties now appear to agree that an EU membership application is off the agenda for the foreseeable future.

He argues that Iceland’s formal cooperation with the European Union should continue through the European Economic Area Agreement with Norway and Liechtenstein. He also says the referendum result could shape Iceland’s wider international cooperation, including relations with Norway, Greenland, the European Union, England and the United States.