Voters across Iceland have cast their ballots in a tightly contested referendum on whether to restart talks to join the European Union. Early counting indicates an extremely close race, with neither side showing a clear lead.
The vote comes 13 years after previous accession negotiations were paused in 2013 following the global economic crisis. At that time, many Icelanders feared that joining the bloc would cost them sovereign control over their fishing industry, which remains the country's largest export sector.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, who has led a pro-EU coalition government since late 2024, praised the referendum as a positive milestone that places the choice directly in the hands of the public. Supporters argue that closer integration could stabilize the island nation's sluggish economy, enhance security, and build on the fact that Iceland already adheres to roughly 75 percent of EU rules.
However, opponents in the country of 400,000 residents worry about being drowned out by the 27 EU member states. Many voters remain hesitant about replacing the Icelandic króna with the euro currency and accepting strict European fishing limits.
If the "yes" campaign wins, Iceland will not immediately join the EU. Instead, the government would open formal negotiations with Brussels. If an agreement is finalized, citizens would vote a second time in another referendum to decide whether to officially enter the union.