Icelandic voters have rejected restarting negotiations to join the European Union, despite a campaign in which U.S. pressure over Greenland became an argument for closer European alignment.
The proposal was defeated by 52.8% to 47.2%, according to Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV. Reykjavík was the only part of the country where a majority supported reopening negotiations.
The vote was not on EU membership itself. Approval would have reopened negotiations with Brussels, with any eventual membership agreement requiring another referendum.
Greenland entered the debate through growing concern about Arctic security. Supporters of renewed negotiations argued that closer ties with Europe could help Iceland withstand pressure from larger powers. President Donald Trump’s repeated demands for U.S. control of Greenland led some Icelanders to question how their country would respond if similar pressure were directed at Iceland.
The Associated Press reported that some voters viewed European solidarity as an additional layer of protection. Reuters also identified Arctic rivalry and U.S. pressure over Greenland as arguments advanced by supporters of EU negotiations.
Opponents focused largely on sovereignty and control of Iceland’s fishing resources. Iceland already belongs to NATO and participates in the European Economic Area and the Schengen travel zone. Critics argued that full EU membership could weaken Iceland’s control over its waters without materially improving its security.
The result shows that tensions surrounding Greenland are influencing political debate across the North Atlantic. However, in Iceland, concerns about fisheries, natural resources and national decision making ultimately carried more weight.
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