Iceland’s rejection of EU talks exposes the bloc’s weaknesses

Iceland’s flag will not soon fly beside the European Union’s in Reykjavík. Voters rejected the resumption of EU accession talks in Sunday’s referendum, delivering a clear setback to the government’s ambition to deepen integration with the bloc.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said the issues of membership and decision-making in Brussels would be taken off the political agenda “for the rest of the legislative period.”

The result carries weight beyond Iceland’s domestic debate. Rejecting even the reopening of accession negotiations represents a setback for the EU’s enlargement strategy after Brexit, according to the framing of the report.

The criticism extends to the European Commission and national governments, which are described as failing to keep pace with needed reforms. For now, Iceland’s voters have put further discussion of joining the bloc on hold.

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for the rest of the legislative period