Iceland Votes on Resuming EU Membership Talks in Tight Referendum

Voters in Iceland headed to the polls Saturday for a referendum that could determine whether the nation resumes membership negotiations with the European Union. The outcome is being closely monitored in Brussels, as the vote is expected to be exceptionally tight.

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

Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 following a severe financial crisis, but membership talks were suspended in 2013 when a eurosceptic government took power. Current polls indicate a razor-thin margin between the 'Yes' and 'No' camps, with the 'No' side holding a slight edge within the margin of error. Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir expressed optimism despite the close race, stating, "It's not done until it's done."

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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?

The referendum question asks voters whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the EU. If the 'Yes' vote prevails, negotiations would proceed, with a final membership agreement subject to another referendum. A key sticking point in any potential accession would be fisheries, a vital sector of Iceland's economy, over which Reykjavik insists on maintaining exclusive control. Brussels appears more amenable to compromise on this issue this time around.

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

Arguments for and against EU membership reflect Iceland's evolving economic landscape. Supporters of resuming talks point to potential benefits like lower eurozone interest rates, which could alleviate high mortgage costs for some households. Conversely, many voters express pride in Iceland's self-achieved economic recovery and independence, questioning the need to join the EU when the country already benefits from access to the single market through the European Economic Area. "We don't need Brussels to rule us. We can do it ourselves," stated one entrepreneur, highlighting a sentiment of national self-reliance.

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We used to be one of the poorest countries in Europe only a hundred years ago. And now we are the most prominent country in Europe. We did it ourselves.