Icelandic Parliament Divided on EU Membership Vote

Icelandic lawmakers are divided as the nation prepares for a referendum on resuming membership talks with the European Union. A survey indicates that more members of parliament intend to vote 'no' than 'yes' in the upcoming public vote.

Out of the 63 MPs, 29 have declared their intention to vote in favor of resuming negotiations, while 30 plan to vote against it. Four parliamentarians have not yet revealed their stance on the issue. The referendum is set to take place tomorrow, determining whether Iceland will pursue renewed dialogue with the EU.

The ruling coalition appears largely supportive of rejoining talks, with 28 of its 35 MPs intending to vote 'yes.' However, a significant minority within the coalition, four MPs, plan to vote 'no,' and three have remained non-committal. In stark contrast, the opposition is almost uniformly against resuming negotiations. Of the 27 opposition MPs, 26 have stated they will vote 'no,' with one undecided.

One MP, Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson, who is not affiliated with a specific party bloc, has declared his support for resuming talks, casting a 'yes' vote. The article provides a detailed breakdown of each MP's position, gathered from speeches, articles, interviews, and direct inquiries by mbl.is.