A narrow majority of Icelandic voters oppose the resumption of accession talks with the European Union, according to a new Gallup poll released on August 28. The results indicate a shift in mood ahead of a referendum on August 29, which will decide whether to resume negotiations on the country’s EU membership.
However, the August 29 vote is not a referendum on Iceland’s actual EU membership. If negotiations resume and a corresponding agreement is reached, the country will have to hold another referendum on joining the bloc of 27 states under the terms negotiated.
A poll conducted from August 24 to 27 among 4,583 people showed that 51.6% of respondents oppose negotiations with Brussels on EU membership. 48.4% support the resumption of talks.
Earlier this week, the Icelandic publication Visir reported the opposite trend: 51.3% of those polled supported negotiations with Brussels on accession, while 48.7% were opposed. The publication referred to a survey by the research company Maskina.
Why Iceland is talking about the EU again
Iceland suspended EU accession talks in 2013, four years after applying, following the election of a Eurosceptic government. Since then, the rising cost of living and the war in Ukraine have revived public interest in the issue of EU membership.
The Icelandic government describes the possibility of membership as a “now or never” moment. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir told voters in August that a negative referendum result would put an end to any further speculation about EU membership.
What EU membership could bring to Iceland
If it joins the EU, Iceland will be able to participate directly in the decision-making process through institutions such as the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. In addition, the country will join the customs union and have the opportunity to adopt the euro.
Source: The Straits Times / Reuters
