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Iceland Holds Referendum on Resuming EU Accession Talks
(MENAFN) Iceland opens polling stations Saturday for a nationwide referendum on whether the government should restart negotiations over joining the European Union.
Voting begins at around 9 a.m. local time in some areas, although opening times vary between counties, with polling continuing throughout the evening. Nearly 400,000 voters are eligible to participate, while preliminary results are expected late Saturday or in the early hours of Sunday.
The referendum does not directly determine whether Iceland joins the EU. Instead, a majority in favor would give the government permission to reopen accession negotiations. Any agreement reached through those talks would still require approval in a separate referendum before Iceland could become a member.
Recent opinion polls show a closely divided electorate. One survey places support for restarting negotiations at 51.3%, compared with 48.7% against the proposal. Another poll shows both camps at 46%, leaving 8% of respondents undecided.
A separate survey cited by European policy analysts shows stronger opposition to EU membership, with 54% against joining and 46% supporting accession.
Iceland first applies for EU membership in 2009 following the collapse of its banking sector during the global financial crisis. Formal negotiations begin in 2010 but are suspended three years later after a Eurosceptic government takes power.
In 2015, Iceland informs EU authorities that it no longer wants to be treated as a candidate country, effectively ending its previous bid for membership.
Voting begins at around 9 a.m. local time in some areas, although opening times vary between counties, with polling continuing throughout the evening. Nearly 400,000 voters are eligible to participate, while preliminary results are expected late Saturday or in the early hours of Sunday.
The referendum does not directly determine whether Iceland joins the EU. Instead, a majority in favor would give the government permission to reopen accession negotiations. Any agreement reached through those talks would still require approval in a separate referendum before Iceland could become a member.
Recent opinion polls show a closely divided electorate. One survey places support for restarting negotiations at 51.3%, compared with 48.7% against the proposal. Another poll shows both camps at 46%, leaving 8% of respondents undecided.
A separate survey cited by European policy analysts shows stronger opposition to EU membership, with 54% against joining and 46% supporting accession.
Iceland first applies for EU membership in 2009 following the collapse of its banking sector during the global financial crisis. Formal negotiations begin in 2010 but are suspended three years later after a Eurosceptic government takes power.
In 2015, Iceland informs EU authorities that it no longer wants to be treated as a candidate country, effectively ending its previous bid for membership.
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