Icelandic voters narrowly oppose EU membership talks, new poll shows

A slim majority of Icelanders now oppose reopening negotiations to join the European Union, according to a new Gallup poll released Friday. This finding marks a shift from earlier surveys and comes just ahead of a referendum scheduled for Saturday on whether to pursue accession talks.

The vote on Saturday is not a final decision on membership. Instead, it concerns whether Iceland should re-engage in discussions with Brussels. Any potential agreement reached would still require a subsequent referendum for the nation to formally join the bloc. The poll, conducted from August 24 to 27 among 4,583 individuals, found that 51.6% are against resuming membership talks, while 48.4% support them.

This sentiment contrasts with a report earlier in the week by the Icelandic daily Visir, which cited a Maskina poll showing 51.3% in favor of resuming talks and 48.7% against. Reykjavik officially withdrew its EU membership application in 2013 under a euroskeptic government. However, recent economic pressures, including a rising cost of living, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have seemingly revived public interest in the possibility of EU membership.

The current Icelandic government has framed the membership question as a "now or never" moment. Prime Minister Kristin Frostadottir urged voters in August that a "no" vote would end all speculation regarding the EU. Proponents argue that membership would grant Iceland direct participation in EU decision-making bodies like the European Commission, Council of Ministers, and European Parliament, along with access to the customs union and the potential adoption of the euro.

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