Icelandic voters have rejected a referendum that would reopen negotiations to join the European Union, raising the spirits of eurosceptics both on the island and abroad.Final results reported by national broadcaster RUV show that approximately 52.8% of the public voted against the referendum, conclusively beating the affirmative voters’ 47.2%. Opposition parties immediately took a victory lap over the fact their country would not even sit at the negotiating table with the supranational alliance.“Knowing that Icelanders are not enthusiastic about EU membership, the government decided to take a rather peculiar approach,” said Sigmundur Davíð, former Icelandic prime minister and current leader of the Center Party in parliament.
A supporter waves a European Union flag during an election-night gathering for the yes in Reykjavik, Iceland, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Di Marco)
He continued: “They constantly emphasized that it was only a question of ‘finding out what the EU is willing to offer us’, ‘taking a peek inside the gift package’, and then deciding later. The people said, ‘No thanks!’”The referendum — which asked the question “Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?” — was advisory in nature and does not change any national law or compel any action. But any action to advance Iceland toward membership without a mandate from the voters would be seen as politically suicidal.Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, leader of the similarly eurosceptic Independence Party, urged the government to abandon all future initiatives for EU membership or risk damaging Iceland’s friendly relationship with the bloc.“The best way to heal the wounds is for the government to listen to the conclusion and put this path aside,” she told RUV, the national broadcaster. “Because we want to remain in close contact with the European Union, Europe and as many other countries as possible, the nation is sending a clear message that we intend to steer that course ourselves.”Celebration of the referendum’s result was not limited to Iceland itself. Eurosceptic politicians from across the continent — some of whom are currently running anti-EU campaigns in their own countries — lauded the voters’ decision as a blow against the alliance.In France, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen praised Icelandic voters for delivering a “crystal-clear message.”“By rejecting through referendum the resumption of accession negotiations with the European Union, the Icelandic people have recalled an obvious truth: membership in the European Union is not the natural horizon for every European democracy,” Le Pen said in a statement. “At a time when some are pushing for greater federalism and the transfer of sovereignty to the European Commission, this vote reminds us that another Europe is possible, an Europe of free, sovereign nations cooperating voluntarily on matters of common interest.”Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, center, speaks as Minister of Education and Children Inga Sæland, left, and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir listen during a news conference at Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Di Marco)
