Icelanders voted to stay out of the European Union in a referendum reported by broadcaster RUV on Sunday. The result rejected a government push to reopen membership talks and backed arguments that Iceland’s fishing waters and sovereignty should not be put at risk. Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir had called the vote a now or never moment and said the government would continue its work regardless of the outcome. The issue had resurfaced amid debate over high interest rates, Arctic security and wider geopolitical tensions.
A supporter wearing a European Union flag attends an election-night gathering in Reykjavik, Iceland, Aug. 30. AP-Yonhap
REYKJAVIK — Icelanders have voted to stay out of the European Union, broadcaster RUV reported on Sunday, rejecting a government push to reopen membership talks and siding with those who said Iceland's fishing waters were too important to risk.
A "no" vote will disappoint Brussels, as some officials had cast Iceland as a low-risk case that could help ease scepticism toward EU enlargement and strategically strengthen the bloc when Arctic security is in focus.
The government had framed its membership plan as a "now or never" moment, and Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told voters in August that a "no" would put all EU speculation aside.
