Iceland votes on resuming EU membership talks amid tight race

Icelanders began voting Saturday in a referendum that could determine whether the nation resumes membership negotiations with the European Union. The vote is being closely watched in Brussels, with polls indicating a very tight race.

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It's pretty tight, but I'm always optimistic. It's not done until it's done.

Iceland, with a population of just under 400,000, initially applied to join the EU in the aftermath of a severe 2009 financial crisis. However, membership talks were suspended in 2013 when a government skeptical of the EU took power.

The current referendum asks voters to answer "Yes" or "No" to resuming accession negotiations. If the "Yes" side prevails, an accession agreement would be negotiated, followed by another referendum on actual membership. A key sticking point in past negotiations has been fisheries, a vital sector for Iceland's economy, where Reykjavik seeks to maintain exclusive control.

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We don't need Brussels to rule us. We can do it ourselves.

Recent geopolitical shifts, including U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to Greenland, have reportedly influenced the debate. While some see potential economic benefits, such as lower interest rates within the eurozone, others argue that Iceland's current economic prosperity and access to the European single market make EU membership unnecessary. "We don't need Brussels to rule us. We can do it ourselves," stated Elias Theodorsson, a 65-year-old entrepreneur, reflecting a sentiment of self-reliance among some voters.

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It's like if you are in a relationship with someone you don't live with, and if you lose something you have by getting married, then why get married?